A deep, full-bodied, powerful wine with notes of forest floor, creme de cassis, blackberries, fig and flowers, some spicy, smoky subtle oak appears in the background along with licorice and underbrush. Dense, full-bodied, rich, layered and impressive, this sumptuously textured, thick, juicy wine is already showing well and should continue to drink well for up to 15 or more years. The finest Sansonnet ever made, this wine, from a vineyard that sits in back of the valleys and hillsides of St.-Emilion not far from Barde-Haute and Trottevieille. It is looked after by Michel Rolland’s top assistant, Jean-Philippe Fort. They have never made a wine like this, a definite sleeper of the vintage. Yields were 9 hectoliters per hectare and the final blend 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc that came in at 15% natural alcohol.

This is a step up, with very plush layers of raspberry and blackberry confiture and plum sauce, liberally framed by a strong graphite note. Lots of black tea and toasty spice are inlaid on the finish, which sports some serious grip for the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2025. -JM

Ripe and fine with the minerality of the terroir clearly coming through. Drink 2015-2025. (16 points)