Chateau De Sales 2009 Pomerol
Chateau de Sales, situated in the Right Bank appellation of Pomerol, is an estate with a long and prestigious history. Owned by the same family for over 500 years, the chateau is the largest in Pomerol with 47 hectares of vines. The soil of Chateau de Sales is characterized by an omnipresence of iron oxide, called “crasse de fer” locally, which gives the wine a distinct personality. The majority of aging for Chateau de Sales wines takes place in traditional concrete tanks, spending only 6 months in oak barrels, to preserve the wine’s qualities of freshness, fruitiness and terroir expression. Chateau de Sales has been in the same family hands since 1464. This probably sets a record in Bordeaux for continuous ownership of a chateau. In 1464, Bertrand de Sauvanelles agreed to rent and manage the estate. It has remained in the same family hands for close to 6 centuries! The Chateau was created in the early 1600’s, which was also quite rare for Pomerol at the time as the region has never been the home to the type of grand chateaux found in the Left Bank. In fact, the chateau for de Sales is one of the few, true, regal chateau in the Pomerol appellation. Chateau de Sales did not become a working Bordeaux vineyard until some in the late 1700’s.
Opening a bottle of this Right Bank Bordeaux, bright Ruby red, from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, I noticed fresh red fruit aromas, with aromatic complex spice. The palate shows off the fruit very nicely with concentrated flavors of sour black cherries, red plums with hints of raspberries, a slight licorice tang and bitter cacao. This blend also shows oak and mineral notes, smooth tannins with a nice balance. This wine is lighter in body than many of its counterparts and finishes smooth with complex layers that lingered. This wine should be consumed on the younger side and would not benefit from any long-term aging. A great wine that would be reasonably priced on a restaurant menu, and enjoyed.
Cheers!