2012 Sansonnet

The 2012 Sansonnet is racy and bold. Ripeness is pushed to the extreme in this voluptuous, concentrated Saint-Emilion. Raspberry jam, spices, mint and licorice, all shaped by 100% new French oak, give this intense, forward wine much of its persoanlity. There is plenty of immediacy, but I am less convinced about the suitability of this style for this site. Even next to wines made along similar lines, Sansonnet is missing something.

From a property on an incredible qualitative roll, this blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, from St.-Emilion’s plateau of clay and limestone soils, offers loads of blueberry and raspberry fruit, an inky purple color, a distinctive, earthy terroir character, medium to full body, and beautiful ripeness, purity and equilibrium. This is a stunner, as it has been over recent vintages, and consumers need to take notice before the prices match the level of quality. Drink it over the next 15 years. Tiny yields of 23 hectoliters per hectare achieved 14% natural alcohol.

New consultancy for Thunevin. Black and ripe and touch of char. Really firm and chewy, pretty oaky too but has an impressive dark concentration. Needs a lot of time but it has fine structure and freshness even with all that dark and hidden depth. (JH)