TN: Chateau de Sales, Pomerol

BobH · June 19, 2009, 2:06pm

This wine is a good example of how a wine with a modest pedigree can preform like a big name wine. This wine wasn’t just good for a QPR Pomerol (I think I paid $22 for it) it was good for any Pomerol. I bought the wine on release, and haven’t yet tried it. I popped it yesterday and from the bottle the nose just jumped out. it could not be restrained as I poured it into my glass. Strong red fruit was strong and noticable, with lots of mineral/graphite aroma. The complexity was amazing in this wine. I managed to find tons of aromas in here: seaweed, cherry, rasberry, spice, and this was this odor that I couldn’t indentify initially, but I realized it was fruitcake. Yes, the very same fruitcake that is indicative of Pomerol in general. For some reason, I wasn’t expecting it in this inexpensive wine, but here it was. On the palate, the wine was medium bodied, nicely balanced, congruent. I kept getting the sense that the wine would fall apart in the glass with too much air as it seemed so ready. Luckily, it seemed to not be a problem as the wine was gone in 2 hours. This wine is easily 93 points.

Faryan_Amir-Ghassemi · June 19, 2009, 2:09pm

could you specify which vintage Bob?

Danke

mike.m · June 19, 2009, 2:34pm

I’ll guess 2000?

A_S_K_R_O_B_A_C_K · June 19, 2009, 4:06pm

Thanks for the note, Bob. Anyone sample the 2005?

BobH · June 19, 2009, 5:16pm

picky picky picky, wanting the vintages with your notes. yes, it was the 2000.

Michael_Malinoski · June 19, 2009, 5:45pm

Bob, that is great to read. I have a small cache from a mixed futures purchase and I haven’t tried any yet. The CT notes over the winter were not universally encouraging, so your note is welcome news.

-Michael

Jeff_Cassetta · June 19, 2009, 5:49pm

Thanks for the note Bob. I’m under represented in Pomerol. It’s nice to find some that don’t break the bank.

David_Dain_Smith · June 19, 2009, 10:05pm

I’ve had a few bottles of the 2000 de Sales and concur with Bob. Indeed a good value. Not one of the ‘blue clay’ Pomerol locations but to my palate, the lighter ethereal pomerol type…me likey!

mike.m · June 20, 2009, 2:37am

I WIN I WIN!!!

I have never tried De Sales though it is available pretty reasonably priced. Guess I should give one a whirl!

Brent_C_l_a_y_t_o_n · June 20, 2009, 2:52am

Bob,

You got me a little excited so I popped the 2004 for tonight’s in store tasting. It was lacking some punch and had some high acidity on the finish, but a very decent bottle that should improve with another couple of years. This is also about $25 retail but the sharp eyes might find some via the Diageo closeouts for less…

Guillaume_Deschamps · June 20, 2009, 4:07pm

Try the 1999 and see who’s picky

Scott_Sutherland · June 20, 2009, 8:17pm

Has anyone had the 05 or 06 of the de Sales recently? Worth picking some up?

Scott