DASSAULT 2020

The deep purple-hued 2020 Château Dassault is another remarkable 2020 Saint-Emilion that shines on all accounts. Gorgeous raspberries, blueberries, dried flowers, spicy wood, and orange blossom notes all emerge from this complex, elegant, medium- to full-bodied effort, and it's balanced, has silky tannins, and a great finish. It's going to shine with just 2–3 years of bottle age, and I suspect have 15–20 years of overall longevity.

This has the dark and modestly juicy feel of the vintage, with a mix of black currant and blackberry paste flavors dotted with light savory, cedar and tar notes. Turns slightly firm on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2034. 3,000 cases made, 800 cases imported.

The 2020 Dassault has a more composed bouquet compared to the 2018 that I tasted just a few weeks earlier, offering layers of black cherry and blueberry, pencil shavings and cedar tucked just underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, well-judged acidity and commendable cohesion. It feels slightly predictable on the finish, but I sense a little more elegance and poise compared to recent vintages.

Aromas of ripe berries, cloves, anisette, chocolate and wet earth. Medium to full-bodied. Showing depth and intensity, it has layers of fine, velvety tannins and a plush, dark-fruit character. Lingering, chalky finish. Try after 2026.

Medium to deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Dassault wafts out of the glass with a very pretty perfume of lilacs, cinnamon toast and fragrant earth over a core of plum preserves, Morello cherries and raspberry leaves, with a touch of fallen leaves. The medium- to full-bodied palate has lots of grace and freshness, framed by very soft tannins, finishing long and earthy. Very clever styling and a beautiful expression of the vintage!