Winemaker Notes
Its wine, which has great keeping potential, displays an intense ruby color. When aired, it releases aromas of sour cherry and blackcurrant. Big on the attack, it evolves harmoniously on the palate towards an expression of fine tannins with a ripe fruit flavor.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Sansonnet is once again a stand out. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, chocolate, new leather, licorice and espresso give this large-scaled Saint-Émilion tons of depth. As always, Sansonnet is an extrovert, but in 2021 it benefits from a kick of acidity that balances things out nicely. It was impressive both times I tasted it. –Antonio Galloni
Barrel Sample: 93-95 -
James Suckling
Excellent freshness and depth here with ripe but very vibrant berries. Spices, cigar box, black chocolate and incense, too. Quite juicy and bright on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Tannins are fresh and polished. Long and expressive finish. There is a “modern” touch here that gives a sense of restrained plushness to the vibrancy. Better from 2024.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From a vineyard opposite Trottevieille, the 2021 Sansonnet opens in the glass with aromas of berries, plums, licorice and burning embers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and rather muscular, with good depth at the core, tangy acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish, it's 91% Merlot, the balance Cabernet Franc.
Barrel Sample: 91-93 -
Decanter
Succulent and supple, this is precise and stands out. The fruit has a pristine, almost clean quality to it, lightly framed but good layers of red berry fruit, cooling touches of mocha and cassis as well as crushed stone minerality. A nice presentation of the vintage and terroir - all well worked and well presented. It's not so round but has a deliciously delicate body giving depth of flavour and lightness of touch in terms of structure. Not long but elegant and totally classy. Charming and just easy to like.
Barrel Sample: 92 -
Jeb Dunnuck
Tasted on multiple occasions with consistent results, the 2021 Château Sansonnet is another beautiful wine from this talented team and great terroir. Ripe red and black fruits, graphite, spicy oak, and subtle leafy herb and truffly notes all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a pure, elegant mouthfeel, polished tannins, and a great finish. I love it even today, but it will ideally be given just 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoyed over the following decade. The 2021 is 91% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, raised in 70% new barrels, with a portion in foudre as well as amphora.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Marked by its historic fortified village—perhaps the prettiest in all of Bordeaux, the St-Émilion appellation, along with its neighboring village of Pomerol, are leaders in quality on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These Merlot-dominant red wines (complemented by various amounts of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon) remain some of the most admired and collected wines of the world.
St-Émilion has the longest history in wine production in Bordeaux—longer than the Left Bank—dating back to an 8th century monk named Saint Émilion who became a hermit in one of the many limestone caves scattered throughout the area.
Today St-Émilion is made up of hundreds of independent farmers dedicated to the same thing: growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc (and tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon). While always roughly the same blend, the wines of St-Émilion vary considerably depending on the soil upon which they are grown—and the soils do vary considerably throughout the region.
The chateaux with the highest classification (Premier Grand Cru Classés) are on gravel-rich soils or steep, clay-limestone hillsides. There are only four given the highest rank, called Premier Grand Cru Classés A (Chateau Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Angélus, Pavie) and 14 are Premier Grand Cru Classés B. Much of the rest of the vineyards in the appellation are on flatter land where the soils are a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial matter.
Great wines from St-Émilion will be deep in color, and might have characteristics of blackberry liqueur, black raspberry, licorice, chocolate, grilled meat, earth or truffles. They will be bold, layered and lush.