2012 Chateau de Sales Pomerol Grand Cru

Winemaker Notes

de Sales is owned by no less than 14 cousins and headed up by Henri and Marguerite de Lambert, and has strong claims to be the Bordeaux estate with the longest time in any one family`s hand (since 1464!). Marine Treppoz is the President, and along with cousins Henri and Marguerite, represent the 25th generation at de Sales. Located in the far west Pomerol, with 47-hectares of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are almost all in one block on sandy soils, which has produced in the excellent 2012 vintage a supple, rounded and delicious Pomerol.

Good medium ruby. Blackcurrant, violet and a dusty mineral note on the deep nose. Dense, lush and chewy, offering, pure, precise dark berry and floral flavors. Finishes broad, saline and very long, with a density of texture and a degree of fruit concentration that I have never before found in De Sales--and that I didn`t even think was possible in view of this estate`s very sandy soils. Without doubt the best wine ever made by owner Bruno de Lambert. Well done. 90/100 points. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, August 2013.

About Winery

Built in the 17th century, Chateau de Sales is largest estate in the Pomerol appellation on the Right Bank. The chateau possesses exceptional beauty and elegance, and the same is true for its wines as they are the true expression of the Pomerol terroir from which they originate. Located in the northwest corner of Pomerol, it is the only true chateau building in the appellation and has been owned by the same family for more than five hundred years. Chateau de Sales wines are the expression of their terroir: fruit-driven, round and full-bodied, with good structure on the palate, smoothness, refinement and elegance.

Located 22 miles east of Bordeaux, the vineyard of Chateau de Sales is situated in the northwestern part of the Pomerol appellation. The chateau's vineyard has a surface area of over 200 acres, of which 118 acres are planted — the largest in Pomerol. The soils of Chateau de Sales are comprised of fine gravel and sand, with clay in some areas and an omnipresence of iron oxide, known as "crasse de fer."

The vines are an average of more than 30 years old. The grape varieties planted here are typical of this appellation: 73% merlot, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 12% cabernet franc. The vines are cultivated in the traditional way: the soil is regularly ploughed, vineyard practices are environmentally sound, leaves are removed with clusters thinned at regular intervals, and the grapes are harvested by hand at optimum maturity for each parcel.