Château de Sales - Pomerol 2018

Château de Sales is located in the north-west of the Pomerol appellation. With 47.6 hectares (117 acres) under vine out of the 90 hectares (222 acres) that make up the property, it is the largest vineyard in the Pomerol appellation. Except for three hectares (7 acres) that were lost during the French Revolution, the property limits are the same as they were in 1578.

The majority of vines are Merlot (73%) which, combined with Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) and Cabernet Franc (12%), finds its full expression in a terroir of gravel and heat-retaining sand which also contains iron oxide. On average, planting density is 5,900 vines per hectare.

Château de Sales is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 15%-20% new. The wine is bottles usually 18 months after harvest.

"Château de Sales, the first wine of the estate, embodies the complexity and refinement of its terroir. A wine to be aged, it is made from rigorously selected grapes with a majority of Merlot. Château de Sales is matured for 12 months in oak barrels, 15-20% of which are renewed each year. The wines are bottled at the Château about 18 months after the harvest." - Winemaker Notes

"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 De Sales rocks up with expressive blackberries and black cherries notes with an undercurrent of tilled soil, truffles and mossy bark. Medium to full-bodied, it has a solid structure of ripe, rounded tannins and impressive freshness, finishing with bright black fruit layers." - 93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"There is more concentration and power than many recent vintages at de Sales but this keeps its approachability and accessibility. Cassis and blueberry feature alongside tannins that are firm but flexible, but this is not as complex as some and loses a tiny bit of weight through the mid palate, which is where you still feel the impact of the slightly lighter soils in this part of Pomerol. Still, there is no question that this is an excellent vintage at de Sales, with lots of changes at this estate all benefitting the wine. Vincent Montigaud (ex Mouton through Domaine de Baronarques) has done a good job." - 92 points, Decanter

Producer: Château de Sales

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend

Appellation: Pomerol

Vintage: 2018

Size: 750ml