Another head-turning vintage from this château, the 2020 Château Sansonnet is based on 95% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, from yields of 36 hectoliters per hectare, that was raised in 80% new barrels. Possessing incredible purity in its black raspberry and cassis fruit as well as notes of white flowers, camphor, and spicy oak, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, polished, ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. This estate, under the guidance of Marie and Christophe Lefévère, has had a shocking string of truly incredible vintages, and given that these continue to be undervalued in the market, it's the wine lovers and wine drinkers out there who benefit. If you get a chance, don't miss this beauty.
96 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)
The 2020 Sansonnet is one of the best wines here in recent memory. Ample and explosive in feel, the 2020 offers up copious dark fruit, chocolate, spice and new leather notes. There's not much subtlety, but I don't think it matters much. This full-throttle, unabashedly opulent Saint-Émilion is lights out. Tasted two times.
96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)
Notes of ripe blackberries and blueberries with black licorice, tree bark, chocolate and moist earth. Medium- to full-bodied and dense. It has layers of ultra-fine tannins wrapping up the deep core of dark fruit. Structured and velvety with a long finish. Try after 2026.
95 points, James Suckling (May 2023)
Exuberant and succulent, dark ruby in colour, with full-on but well-balanced extraction that ensures big tannins, concentrated black fruits and a gourmet edge of cocoa bean and liqourice. Marie Benedtice Lefévère owns this 7ha estate. Jean-Philippe Fort consultant, 30hl/ha yield. The Lefevre family are ones to watch in St-Emilion right now, with their recent investments into Villemaurine and Valandraud.
94 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2023)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Sansonnet explodes with notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, black raspberries, and Morello cherries, giving way to wafts of crushed rocks, cedar, and baking spices. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous black and red fruit flavors, finishing with compelling energy.
94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)