Château de Sales 2018

Stunning aromas of flowers, herbs, and berries; the tannins are polished and fresh, the whole is remarkably harmonious; complex and distinctive: a hit, even better than en primeur.

Silky and refined in feel, with alluring dark tea, dried anise, mulled plum and steeped black cherry notes gliding through in unison. A bay leaf note twinkles on the finish. Drink now through 2031. 6,800 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

Technical director Vincent Montigaud has managed this vintage well, delivering an accessible Sales with fairly assertive tannins at this early stage, with traces of bitterness on the finish, but matched step for step by blueberry and cassis fruit.

A soft, juicy red with a creamy texture to the tannins. Berry, cherry, light cedar and almond flavors. Pretty and balanced. Try after 2024.

69% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. 18% new oak. Deep crimson. Restrained, slightly earthy dark fruit, perhaps more rocky than earthy. Lively, fresh and with very fine tannins, layered rather than dense, just gently chewy on the finish. Wholesome and nicely dry on the aftertaste. Quite a subtle wine in the context of 2018 but with plenty of fruit. (JH)

The 2018 Château de Sales, from Pomerol’s largest estate in size, has a light nose of brambly red berry fruit, freshly rolled tobacco and earthy aromas. The palate is marked by some dry tannins on the entry, though it appears to gain a little more flesh on the midpalate. A judicious sprinkle of black pepper mixes with that continuing tobacco theme on a finish that tapers in slightly, leaving just a touch of warmth on the aftertaste.

Medium-bodied, lean, classic, floral and cherry filled, this bright wine offers a forward approach for early drinking. 85-87 Pts

I missed the 2018 Château De Sales in this year’s Bordeaux report but was able to get a bottle from the domaine. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as a beautiful, classic Pomerol nose of earthy red and blue fruits, truffle, damp soil, cedary herbs, and tobacco, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a nicely balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. Building nicely with time in the glass, it marries notable elegance with plenty of richness and is ideal for enjoying any time over the coming 15 years or so.

Kunz barrel sample 19: floral, silky, fresh bouquet, raspberries, redcurrants, slate, fine herbs. Delicate palate with fine fruit, good tannins, a well‑core structure, powerful aromatics, long, finely bitter finish.

Floral, silky, fresh bouquet; raspberry, redcurrant, slate, fine herbs. Delicately structured palate with precise fruit, good tannins, a firmly built core, powerful aromatics, long, finely bitter finish. 17/20 2025 - 2038

Supple and silky, this 2018 will show to advantage from its early years in bottle.

The bouquet of the 2018 surprises with its spicy profile, showing hints of black pepper while the floral aspect emerges in the background. Notes of dry ink and cocoa beans. On the palate, the wine presents a creamy side while being fleshy, yet not particularly dense. A pleasant wine in its own context, but it does not take full advantage of the 2018 vintage—at least in terms of tannins—though its charm is undeniable. It is still enjoyable, but it needs more time.