2016 Dassault

Very dark crimson. Attention-grabbing in its intensity. Sweet, almost raisiny start. Texture is a little too velvety on the end as though it has been rather pushed in terms of ripeness. I’d prefer a bit more freshness. Sudden end. (JR)

Another wine I was able to taste multiple times, the 2016 Château Dassault is 73% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 70% new oak. This deeply colored beauty boasts a rocking bouquet of crème de cassis and blackcurrant fruits intermixed with spice, chocolate, subtle oak, and graphite. It's seamless and elegant on the palate, with full-bodied richness, terrific tannins, and a great finish. In short, it's a beautiful Saint Emilion that will keep for two decades.

The 2016 Dassault feels a little overdone on the nose, delivering a block of lush black cherry and strawberry fruit but not enough terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with lush, furry tannin, relatively low acidity and touches of mint toward the finish, which feels rather opaque. Maybe this will improve with bottle age, but it does not move me at the moment.