Château de Sales 2023

Expressive, very fruity, raspberry, blackberry, floral notes, a hint of cinnamon; on the palate, silky, round, full-bodied yet not heavy, perfectly ripe fruit, velvety tannins, a lovely sense of tension, fruit and structure in harmony; a finish of impressive length, ending on red fruit and leaving a saline mouthfeel. A hit.

Plum, saline nose with a touch of slate. Cool fruit, some floral stem and oak-derived toast. The palate of this wine, aged in 18% new oak, comes across as a clean, light-bodied Pomerol, with fine mid-palate concentration, pleasant red fruit and smooth tannin. A wine that will deliver near-term pleasure as one of the most affordable offerings in the appellation.

At 47.6ha of vines (and almost the same again in parkland), de Sales is the biggest estate in Pomerol, and it has seen a number of investments in recent years to counter its image as one of the lighter-styled wines in the appellation. It is showcasing an attractively vibrant ruby colour, with soft rose-red reflections, and has immediate appeal. Blackberry and spiced plum lead the way, with some bitter aniseed and fennel notes across the palate. 18% new oak for ageing, harvest from September 12 through to October 3. Estate run by the 17th generation of the same family, today headed by Martine Treppoz, with Vincent Montigaud as director, and Jean-Claude Berrouet as consultant.

Score: 90–92. Delicately fruity, the nose is round and warm, with intense floral aromas (peony, wisteria, iris, violet). The palate is pure velvet, with a comfortable texture that makes you want to sink into it. Very delicate finish.