The 2022 Château Dassault is a powerful, inky, concentrated effort that's going to demand – and reward – cellaring. Black cherry liqueur, new leather, graphite, and violet notes define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a juicy spine of acidity, nicely integrated tannins, and a great finish. Hide bottle for 4-6 years, and it's going to drink nicely over the following 15-20 years. The blend is 76% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged in 60% new barrels, with 11% in foudre and 10% in amphora.

The 2022 Dassault has a composed and delineated bouquet that's much more refined and elegant than the wines I was tasting a decade ago. The palate is medium-bodied and nicely poised with pliant tannins and a keen thread of acidity. It has a pure fruit tone laced with pencil shavings toward the finish. This is an excellent Saint-Émilion that will age with style.