Château Dassault 2022

The 2022 from Dassault was blended by the estate's new consultant, so perhaps it would otherwise have been worse. Exhibiting aromas of baked fruits, figs and toasty oak, it's medium to full-bodied, heavily extracted and coarse.

This shows the lush, warm fruit profile of the vintage, with blackberry and boysenberry notes gliding atop the subtle, graphite-tinged structure, along with black tea, ink and singed alder accents. Will have fans for sure. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2036. 6,000 cases made.

Ripe fruit and toasted notes on the nose. Rich and fleshy, this has an initial bounce and lift with juicy acidity and chalky red berry fruit but also quite compact tannins that bring power to the fore and cut the finish a little short. I love the precision and cool freshness on show, though it still feels a bit tense and lean. A touch sombre towards the finish, the opulence of the vintage shining through, with dark fruit emerging alongside notes of bitter chocolate, tobacco, liquorice and aniseed. Full and glamorous, but it will be lovely once the elements harmonise a little more.

Some sweet berries such as plums and cherries with hints of dried bark on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied and attractive with fluidity as well as firm and silky tannins. Drink after 2027.

The 2022 Dassault is a potent, exotic wine. Inky dark fruit, cloves, new leather, licorice, spice and menthol flesh out in a rich, deeply layered Saint-Émilion. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Dassault is an extrovert, and a gorgeous one at that!

Deeply colored, the wine is loaded with chocolate, espresso, cinnamon, flowers, and black cherries. The fruits are creamy, luscious, ripe, sweet, and vibrant with a chocolate edge to the berries in the finish. This is an outstanding vintage for Chateau Dassault! Drink from 2025-2042. 92-94 Pts.

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Fine red cherry fruit, hints of plums, fresh orange zest, inviting bouquet. Juicy, red berry nuances, ripe cherries, good freshness, mineral and persistent, some nougat on the finish, a promising food companion.

Intense and concentrated, with good lift across the palate, a bitter cocoa bean edge, fennel, liquorice and crushed rocks, raspberry and black cherry. Full barrel vinification and ageing for the Cabernet Sauvignon, Romain Depons director.

Slightly reductive, needs some time, dark and red berries, leather, licorice, a hint of eucalyptus; powerful attack, a mouthful of wine, very well structured, with pronounced, ripe tannins and a long, dark-fruited finish. Can—and should—age a bit.

An immense nose with impressive concentration, where dark fruits intertwine with notes of precious wood and the bewitching atmosphere of a garden at dusk. On the palate, it is supple and full, offering sumptuous texture and infinite fruit generosity before a superb finish.