Chateau Dassault 2020

Slightly closed aromatics; powerful attack, solid structure, broad-shouldered tannins, fairly long finish; has absorbed the maturation well.

This has the dark and modestly juicy feel of the vintage, with a mix of black currant and blackberry paste flavors dotted with light savory, cedar and tar notes. Turns slightly firm on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2034. 3,000 cases made, 800 cases imported.

Juicy and playful, this strikes the right balance between just-chewy tannins and fresh acidity, with both black and red cherry, strawberry and blackcurrant fruits at play. I like the styling here; the mid-palate texture is softly chalky and powdery, with lots of minty freshness that gives overall breadth. A more lightly framed wine than some in terms of texture and weight on the palate, but it has tons of flavor, with defined, energetic fruit and clove-spiced tannins that give structure. Lots going on and lots of nuance. Give this time.

Aromas of ripe berries, cloves, anisette, chocolate and wet earth. Medium to full-bodied. Showing depth and intensity, it has layers of fine, velvety tannins and a plush, dark-fruit character. Lingering, chalky finish. Try after 2026.

77% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Dark and reserved on the nose, tight and firm on the palate. The fruit is there but the tannins are thick and chewy. Dry finish. Solid and a bit four-square. (JL)

The 2020 Dassault has an intense bouquet: a mélange of red and black fruit, cedar, light espresso scents and a touch of reduction that will be addressed with bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine depth. It's lightly spiced with a brisk, white pepper-tinged finish. This will require four to five years in bottle, but there is a newfound sense of refinement here.

Flowers, cherries, espresso, licorice, and smoke create the perfume here. The wine is full-bodied, deep and long, with richness, intensity, and lift, giving you a solid backdrop for all of its supple-textured, chocolate covered, red fruits on the mid-palate and in the finish. This is an outstanding vintage for Chateau Dassault! Drink from 2024-2040.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, deep core, discreet ochre brightening on the rim. Ripe plums, dark cherries, candied orange zest, some underlying nougat, subtle hints of coconut and herbs. On the palate, juicy with sweet cherries, integrated, ripe tannins, mineral-salty. A delicate chocolate touch in the long finish. A versatile food companion.

The deep purple-hued 2020 Château Dassault is another remarkable 2020 Saint-Emilion that shines on all accounts. Gorgeous raspberries, blueberries, dried flowers, spicy wood, and orange blossom notes all emerge from this complex, elegant, medium- to full-bodied effort, and it's balanced, has silky tannins, and a great finish. It's going to shine with just 2–3 years of bottle age, and I suspect have 15–20 years of overall longevity.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: jammy, sweet, broad bouquet, strawberry jam, baking chocolate. Firm, heavily extracted palate with sandy tannins, medium aromatics, slightly angular structure, bitter finish. Can still improve.

Marmalade-like, sweet, broad bouquet, strawberry jam, baking chocolate. Firm, heavily extracted palate with sandy tannins, medium aromatics, slightly angular structure, bitter finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2026 - 2038

Intense and concentrated, it runs long on espresso, coffee bean, cocoa powder, along with blueberry and damson fruit, and grilled vanilla bean. It goes a little too far over the line for me, but this is an impressively constructed wine, no question — just give it time. Dassault family owners, consultant Jean-Philippe Fort, 24ha property.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Dassault is a little sluggish and broody to start, offering glimpses of damp soil, black truffles, sautéed herbs, and tar notes before giving way to a core of plum preserves, blackberry pie, and fruitcake. The medium- to full-bodied palate is earthy/savory with an undercurrent of black fruits and ripe, rounded tannins to support, finishing with a peppery lift.

91-92

Dassault 2020 shows a lovely black-berry fruit intensity with aromas of blackberry and blackcurrant. Elegant and harmonious, the wine has compact, still somewhat firm tannins. A little ageing will soften the edges, but the foundations are in place; the wine is expressive and persistent.

The nose is overripe and the palate not as well built as it used to be. Simple.

The nose is fruity and offers elegance, lovely fleshy/delicate fruit as well as some depth, a fine grain and intensity (with finesse). It reveals notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy strawberry and, more lightly, blueberry, along with touches of violet, cherry blossom and lily, as well as fine hints of fresh nutmeg and an imperceptible touch of vanilla. The palate is fruity, fresh, mineral and balanced, with a juicy/mineral backbone, good definition, deliciousness, a lovely fine grain, suavity and finesse, a delicate creaminess, lovely freshness, complexity and finesse. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, boysenberry and, more lightly, blueberry, combined with touches of crunchy purple plum, small red berries and iris, as well as hints of nutmeg, blond tobacco leaf, cardamom and a very discreet touch of vanilla (in the background). An imperceptible hint of hazelnut lingers on the finish. The tannins are precise and well handled. Good length.

91–93. Barrel Sample. Firm and solid, this foursquare wine is set to develop richly and with deliberation. The dry tannins are the initial impression, masking the potential of the rich berry fruits. It will take its time before showing the perfumed attractiveness that is in there.