Château de Sales Pomerol 2020

A rich, velvety Right Bank Bordeaux with ripe black cherry and plum, framed by supple, polished tannins.

Quick Facts

• Region: Pomerol, Right Bank, Bordeaux, France
• Variety: 73% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc
• Style: Merlot-dominant Right Bank Bordeaux, full and supple
• Best For: holiday dinners, gifting for Bordeaux drinkers, roasted meats, cellaring
• ABV: 14.5%
• Vintage: 2020

Winemaking

Château de Sales has long been recognized as one of Pomerol's most consistent and elegant producers, with a philosophy centered on expressing the pure character of Merlot without heavy-handed intervention. The estate prioritizes balance and refinement over extraction, allowing the wine's natural structure and terroir to shine through in the glass.

Tasting Notes

This 2020 opens with inviting aromas of ripe plum and dark cherry, layered with hints of graphite minerality and subtle oak spice. On the palate, the wine is velvety and well-articulated, with fine-grained tannins that frame flavors of blackberry and cocoa, finishing with whispers of licorice and earth. The overall impression is one of elegant restraint and poise—a wine that rewards patience and contemplation rather than demanding immediate attention.

Producer

Château de Sales is one of the largest estates in Pomerol by acreage, yet it maintains a reputation for thoughtful, quality-focused winemaking rather than volume. The vineyard has been in continuous production for centuries, and the estate combines traditional methods with modern precision to craft consistently refined expressions of the appellation.

Terroir

Pomerol's right bank sits on a geological foundation of clay and iron oxide-rich soils—la crasse de fer—that imparts both richness and minerality to its wines. The maritime influence from the Atlantic moderates the continental climate, allowing Merlot to develop full ripeness while maintaining the acidity and freshness that distinguish top Pomerol from heavier interpretations elsewhere in Bordeaux.

Food Pairings

Try this wine with pan-seared duck breast dressed in a cherry gastrique, or alongside a classic coq au vin enriched with pearl onions and mushrooms. For a more casual occasion, it pairs beautifully with herb-crusted lamb chops or a well-aged Comté cheese course.