Saturday, April 11, 2015

Château Sansonnet - Grand Cru Classé St Emilion 2005

Château Sansonnet - Grand Cru Classé St Emilion 2005

Château Sansonnet is a smaller producer by Bordeaux Grand Cru standards with 7 hectares (about 14 acres) of vineyards, mostly Merlot (85%) and the balance is Cabernet Franc for blending.

At ten years, this bottle may have been mishandled in distribution as it is showing significant diminution from such, or from aging in the small 375ml (half bottle) format, which doesn't age as well as standard size. But '05 was a highly rated vintage which should be showing better, so I suspect this bottle may be flawed. I have several bottles and this is the first one I've tried so I'll have to check another soon.

Dark blackish garnet with a slight brownish hue on the rim which is a sign this may not be right, medium bodied, the layers of dark fruits are offset by detracting funky aroma and flavors of damp earth, grass and rotting/wood, overshadowing ripe raisin and fig tones accented by smokey anise and hints of mocha and cedar, with a clinging tannic finish. It was slightly less offsetting and more approachable day two but still showing the same profile.

RM 83 but may be flawed.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=207948

http://www.sansonnet.com/