A serious, brooding nose, darkly seductive with touches of sweet oak and black berries. Alive and fruit forward on the palate but also quite linear and direct. The instant generosity of fruit flavours is really appealing, the mouth is filled with bright summer berry touches and the tannins are ample and supple coating the tongue yet this still has an aerial quality. Feels suave and charming - well worked with lots of precise details with such a minty fresh finish. Excellent ageing potential.
A combination of floral and earthy character here, with aromas of ripe dark and blue fruit and hints of licorice, nut shell and wet earth. Cigar box, too. Medium-bodied, chewy and lingering with bright, vibrant fruit. It has a firm, savory finish with hints of crushed stones. Very typical and true to its terroir.
This powerful wine with layers of new wood and dense black fruits is setting out for serious aging. It comes from one of the largest estates in Pomerol, less well known than it should be. Drink this wine that has great potential from 2026.
The 2019 De Sales has a deep garnet-purple color, rolling effortlessly out of the glass with impressively intense baked cherries, plum preserves and fruitcake scents with nuances of potpourri, licorice, chocolate box and fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of ripe, seductive black fruit preserves, framed by rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed
Bristling blueberry fruits, softening into raspberry and blackberry through the mid palate. Clear austerity at this point but a lovely supple feel overall, and an impressively focused and sleek finish with touches of salt crackers. Enjoyable de Sales, a softer approach to the vintage than some Pomerols but one that will give lots of pleasure, and is given savoury focus by the high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc. 15% new oak. Tasted twice.
Dark ruby ??garnet, violet reflections, subtle brightening of the edges. Delicate herbal spices, fresh red cherries, a touch of vanilla, a fine touch of precious wood. Medium body, red berry fruit, good freshness, present tannins, delicate nougat in the aftertaste, mineral aftertaste.
With a solid core of cocoa infused, plums, flowers and wet earth, there is a nice vibrancy, freshness and silky touch to all the sweet, ripe red fruits. Elegant, refined, earthy and with a cool, truffle and herb accent on the nose, this is already nice and promises to be even better with a few years of age. Things have really been on the upswing here lately as the wines have really stepped up in quality lately starting with the 2018 vintage and 2019 is even better! Drink from 2024-2034.
A classic, fresher, elegant Pomerol from the vintage, the 2019 Château De Sales has a ruby hue as well as a pretty nose of red, black, and blue fruits intermixed with sappy herbs, flowers, and cedar pencil. Medium-bodied, elegant, very pretty, and lightly textured, I love its purity of fruit as well as its balance, although I'd like to have seen a touch more richness and depth. Drink bottles over the coming 10-12 years.
The 2019 Chateau de Sales has an open-knit bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, not quite as complex as its peers. The palate is medium-bodied, somewhat old school in style with dry tannins and a structured finish. Fine backbone here, an impressive retro 2019! One of the best vintages in recent years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
A stylish, understated wine, featuring gentle cherry, raspberry, incense and savory notes that glide through easily, with the savory note lingering on the silky finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028. 10,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.
Technical Details
Blend72.5% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% Cabernet Franc
CountryFrance
RegionBordeaux
AppellationPomerol
Farming MethodOrganic Practices
Aging/Cooperage12 Months in French oak barrels (15-20% new oak)
Pomerol is the unquestioned queen of the Right Bank, with some of the priciest Bordeaux wines anywhere born in this exclusive appellation. So you can imagine our surprise when we discovered this! 96 points from Decanter, and we’re able to offer it for the immaculate price of only $34.95?! That’s a deal worthy of First Bottle, people!
Château de Sales is one of the oldest continuously family-owned wineries in Bordeaux, with the Sales family at the helm since the 18th century. Located in the northwestern corner of Pomerol, the sprawling estate covers 200 acres – 117 of which are currently planted. They boast a mix of 73% merlot, alongside 15% cabernet sauvignon and 12% cabernet franc, respectively. These vines thrive in the same red soils that have made Pomerol legendary – rocky gravel loaded with iron oxide.
The winemaking is traditionally rooted, and Château de Sales has a reputation as an “old-school” producer who makes long-lived and elegant wines that really showcase Pomerol’s fantastic terroir. One sip and you’re sure to agree – this is just classic. The perfume is intoxicating and elegant for a young Bordeaux, with a medley of berry sensations nicely framed with subtle elements of barrel spice. Cedar, graphite, baked cherries, and raspberry liqueur all waft from the glass, plus accents of shaved chocolate and cigar box. The wine is weighty and full, with a silky texture that still carries a hint of young tannin, giving a bit of grip that ensures this wine will age gracefully over the coming decades.
Simply a treat at a price that is simply exceptional. We grabbed all that we could, and now, the chance is yours. 96 point Pomerol at under $35 is something not to be missed – so grab a handful while we’ve got it!
PAIRING IDEAS: I’m matching this up with a classic Steak Diane – but a twist! No filet mignon to be had, and since I prefer a more flavorful cut anyway, I subbed in a tender N.Y. strip instead. Bon Appetit!
About the Producer
Château de Sales holds a significant place in the history of Bordeaux winemaking, particularly within the Pomerol appellation of France. This historic estate can trace its origins back to the 16th century when it was established by the de Sauvanelle family. However, it was the de Sales family who acquired the property in the 18th century and gave it its enduring name. Château de Sales has remained under the ownership of the same family for centuries, making it one of the oldest continuously family-owned wineries in the Bordeaux region. The estate's commitment to tradition and the quality of its Merlot-based wines have earned it a reputation for producing elegant and age-worthy wines that have enchanted wine enthusiasts for generations. Château de Sales remains a cherished symbol of Bordeaux's winemaking heritage and the enduring legacy of family stewardship in the world of wine.
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