Château de Sales Pomerol 2022 i trækasse

Tastingbook.com

Bettane & Desseauve

James Suckling

Medium- to full-bodied red with depth and complexity. Layers of fine, creamy tannins and compact structure. Meaty and racy with a lingering finish. Pure dark fruit with hints of chocolate.

Markus del Monego MW

Decanter

Vivid purple colour in the glass, aromatic perfumed nose with soft floral flecks and concentrated fruit. Chewy, bright, forward and focussed, there’s structure but a streamlined nature keeps the focus and drive but still with volume to the mid palate. Feels quite serious and a touch compact right now, lovely definition though, and a cool strawberry, blueberry juiciness that nicely contrasts the clear structure and density. Well controlled, mouthfilling, a touch hot on the finish but there’s such appealing plumpness and sense of life. Will be excellent to drink when it’s ready. 3.7pH. 60% grand vin production. 18% new oak. No press wine. A yield fo 30hl/ha. Harvest 7 - 21 September.

VV Wine

Finely fragrant and fresh, blueberries and blackberries dominate, with a subtle spiciness, cream and smoky tones. On the palate with opulence and elegance, ripe fruit, finely interwoven tannins support this, despite 14.5% alcohol there is no heat involved. Long-lasting finish with red fruity back aromas. A hit and in the context of the expected price a clear purchase recommendation.

The Drinks Business

The culmination of an impressive transformation in recent vintages at de Sales, this is likely to represent fabulous value in the context of the vintage (and more generally). One of the cooler vineyards in the appellation and also one with a significant amount of Cabernet Sauvignon – both advantages in this vintage. This is fresher than many of the stars of the plateau with a more delicate and fresher floral touch than many; lovely cedar and graphite are already starting to develop and the tannins are so much riper and finer than they once were here. The gentle use of oak brings a little supporting spice to the blueberry and damson fruit and this is beautifully refreshing on the finish. The best yet from here though there is more still to come.

Vert de Vin Magazine

Terre de Vins

Bettane et Desseauve

Jane Anson

Inky plum in the colour, and there are plenty of ripe fruits through the palate that head towards overripe but keep on the right side of the line, with pulsing waves of saffran, mandarin peel, pomegrante and redcherry fruit. A little soft through the mid palate, but this is an enjoyable Sales, deftly handled. 18% new oak, 82% one year and two year old barrels. Harvest September 7 to 21. Temperatures in August 2C hotter than average for the last 10 years, and de Sales' location in a warmer spot close to the city of Libourne will have challenged a few plots, particularly any young vines, making the result particularly impressive.

Robert Parker

A strong effort from this large Pomerol property, the 2022 De Sales offers up aromas of red fruits, plums and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy palate that's ample, layered and velvety, exhibiting a touch more concentration than is habitual at this address without compromising the elegant house style.

Alexandre Ma

In the realm of sandy soil wineries in Pomerol, Château de Sales 2022 is undoubtedly the gentlest wine. Unlike other wines affected by drought and characterized by coarse tannins, this wine's texture is relatively soft, a delicate hint of spices compensates for the lack of fruitiness. If more complexity is added through aging, it will surely become a delightful Pomerol.

Tim Atkin