One of the most common questions I get when writing about wines is how long this wine will age. No doubt, more consumers are laying down wines to age, which has not always been the case. A survey done in 2014 showed that in households with $100,000+ income, 2.9% have wine cellars. In contrast, a recent report from the National Association of Home Builders found that among new-home buyers with an annual household income of $150,000 or more, 31% named a wine cellar as their most desired amenity. (A media room was the top choice for 45 %,) I would argue that I know many customers that do not make that much money still collect wine and have found clever ways of storing them. Myself, I had an area at the bottom of the basement stairs on an outside wall that I insulated and walled up with a door. Nothing fancy, but it keeps wine cool, dark, and humid, making for very happy aged wines. Others are very proud of their polished hardwood designated rooms, and some get creative with a cool closet with some inexpensive racks. The benefits of a cellar are to be able to enjoy that perfect, memorable wine years down the road that has improved because of bottle age. If you are a true wine lover, it is a luxury experience that is all but impossible to accomplish by buying wines at your local liquor store. Another recent survey found that 98% of wine purchased at retail is consumed within 48 hours. Not all wines are made to age, but those that do, are precious from your cellar after a few years. |
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Collecting wines for your cellar can be an all-consuming hobby in itself. Some have spreadsheets or computer programs; others, like myself, like to go and admire the bottles and find a selection that has been long forgotten. A great way to add to one's collection is to commit to wines before arriving. Bordeaux is notorious for that, the wines age well, and we just so happen to be at the end of our 2021 Bordeaux pre-sell. Wines can be reserved for a fraction of the price once they arrive here in two years, ranging in price from $10 to $1,000 a bottle. The savings are tremendous, and the memories are priceless. Click here and the link below to see what is available for the 2021 Bordeaux Pre-arrival offer, along with the ratings the top critics gave them. |
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One such wine that we have some remaining inventory on is from our 2018 offer. Chateau Sansonnet Grands Cru Classe St. Emilion. Chateau Sansonnet is a property on the upswing. Michel Rolland and Jean Luc Thunevin of Valandraud are both involved with Sansonnet. And before them, Jean Michel Arcaute from Chateau Clinet in Pomerol gave the property a hand. Today it is owned by Edonia, a French family-owned negociant business that owns and distributes its wines, from Château Sansonnet, La Croix du Casse, Jonqueyres, Clinet, the Argentinian Alta Vista, and the sweet Tokaji from Château Dereszla, amongst others. |
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The 18-acre Saint Emilion vineyard of Sansonnet is planted to 85% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a new addition to the vineyard. The terroir is thin, shallow clay and limestone soil on the chalky St. Emilion plateau. Situated just a little bit east of the St. Emilion village, they are located next to Chateau Trotte Vieille and in the neighborhood of Pavie Macquin or Troplong Mondot. |
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When producing the wine of Chateau Sansonnet, the grapes enjoy a seven-day cold soak at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The grapes are moved by gravity and fermented in a combination of French oak vats and truncated, dual-walled, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks punctuated by regular punch-downs to break up the cap. There is a 28-day-long maceration period. The wine is then aged in 70% new French oak barrels and two 700-liter amphora for about 16 months before bottling.
Chateau Sansonnet is much better with at least 7-9 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 1-2 hours or more. Chateau Sansonnet offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 8-25 years of age after the vintage.
Bordeaux 2018 will be remembered as an exceptional year, with no shortage of outstanding wines from this extraordinary vintage. Jancis Robinson, Decanter
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2018 Saint Emilion was not an easy vintage for producers. The winter months were easy, but spring is one of the wettest in history. Depending on where you are located in St. Emilion, during the initial six months of the year, 21′′-24′′ of rain-soaked your soil. This is more than the average amount of rain the region experiences in a year! From there, growers fended off violent attacks of mildew, which struck fast and furious. 2018 Saint Emilion was saved by the hottest, driest, sunniest vintage conditions since 2003. Barely any rain fell from July to harvest. Picking took place under warm, sunny, and dry conditions. On average, production was down 10-20% for many vineyards. Conditions were so good between late September and mid-October; that vignerons could pick at their chosen level of maturity. |
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The wine, with great aging potential, is characterized by an intense ruby ​​color. When aired, it releases aromas of sour cherry and blackcurrant. Full-on the attack, the palate harmoniously evolves toward fine tannins with a flavor of ripe fruit.
Blend: 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc
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Dark currant, fig, and blackberry paste flavors are entwined with singed alder, dried tobacco, and iron-tinged minerality. Nice drive through the finish too. Well done. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2034. 2,800 cases made, 500 cases imported. Wine Spectator, 93 pts
The 2018 Sansonnet is a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. With 15% alcohol and a deep garnet-purple color, it opens a little broody, offering glimpses at tar and damp earth notes before bursting forth with expressive plum preserves, blueberry pie, and licorice scents, followed by hints of cedar chest and pencil lead. Full-bodied, rich and impactful in the mouth, the generous black fruits are nicely framed by firm, rounded tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and earthy. Wine Advocate, 94pts
Owned by Marie Lefévère. A ton of interest, with power and depth to the black fruits and the salty lick of limestone coming through at the end. This is excellent quality and has a brilliant, slow slate finish - I love this texture. 80% new oak, with amphorae used in the ageing alongside barrels. This has improved for me over ageing and is an upscore. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040. Decanter, 93pts
This is a generous, ripe wine with rich, supple tannins. Its acidity and fine fruitiness are already giving great structure. The wine will certainly age well. Wine Enthusiast, 93pts
The 2018 Sansonnet is super-impressive right out of the gate. In recent years, Sansonnet has been opulent. The 2018 captures all of that richness but also has an extra kick of vibrancy that works so well in balancing things out. The style is still concentrated, and there is plenty of new oak, but it all works so well together. Inky red fruit, chocolate, plum, rose petals, and spice linger on the exotic finish. The 2018 is so expressive today. Moreover, it is flat-out delicious. Vinous, 96pts
Blackberry, black truffle, red tile, and walnut on the nose. Full-bodied with a very dense, polished palate of ripe, firm tannins and beautifully pure fruit. Transparent and gorgeous. This will age nicely. Try after 2024. James Suckling, 96pts
This estate has been on fire of late, and that doesn't appear to have changed with the 2018 Château Sansonnet. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as a young, unevolved bouquet of pure crème de cassis, graphite, crushed violets, bouquet garni, chocolate, and distinct chalky minerality, it delivers remarkable purity, full-bodied richness, silky tannins, and flawless balance. A wine that builds slowly with time in the glass, offering a beautiful mix of richness, elegance, and length, it's as good, if not even better, than the 2016. Don't miss it! Jeb Dunnuck, 96pts
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Chateau Sansonnet
Grand Cru Classe St Emilion 2018
I had no problems finding wine geeks to help me taste this wine. It poured out as a dense, inky wine. The nose was compact with aromas of plum, dark berries, earth, and a hint of licorice. In the mouth, it was silky power without being cloying; tannins were there but not overwhelming, dark molasses, tobacco, tar, with a dark bitter cherry finish that went on for a very long time. This wine will put all other Merlot-based wines to shame. Tim had bought some when we first received the wine and enjoyed a bottle for three days watching it open up. If you drink this wine soon, it definitely needs to be decanted for two hours before imbibing. I had the rest of the bottle 24 hours after we opened it, and it blew my mind. Tim G commented, "This wine will evolve in five years into the best bottle of wine you will ever have." Unfortunately, we do not have much, but I wanted to show the kind of gems available on Bordeaux pre-arrivals.
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*Sale price is on 3 or more bottles
Due to limited amounts, we are limiting purchase to 3 bottles per customer
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Orders must be done by replying to this email. The reason is that I need to keep control of the inventory in one central spot. Emailing or calling your favorite wine geek at one of our four stores may not get your orders in on time to be counted or processed and creates a helter-skelter for us to get you the wine. For the same reason, ordering on our online Web Store is linked to our regular price, and this sale price is only offered on the email platform. It is also why it takes me some time to respond due to the deluge of orders that I sometimes get. We haven't reached the efficiency or volume of Amazon yet, and in this pandemic environment, simply operations sometimes prove difficult. Thank you in advance for your patience. |
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Let me know your preferred store for pickup: Attleboro, Norwood, Sturbridge, or Swansea. If you don't state the store, I will assume you are picking up in Sturbridge.
Place your order now while you've got everything in front of you. Reply to this email along with your name and which store you want to pick it up.
I will confirm your order via email when it is ready for pickup. Please give us at least 48 hours to respond. Stay well, cheers!
—John Hannum, Fine & Rare Wine Specialist
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Monday-Thursday
9AM to 9PM
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Friday-Saturday
9AM to 10PM
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We reserve the right to limit quantities. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase/consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly. Not responsible for typographical errors. Rebate quantities are subject to limitation by the manufacturer. These alcoholic beverages may be subject to payment of Connecticut or Rhode Island Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Connecticut Use Tax, and may be subject to seizure as contraband. |
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