Dassault 2020 (750ML)

93-95 WA / 93-94 JS / 92-94 JD / 93 DE / 90-92 VM

Medium to deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Dassault wafts out of the glass with a very pretty perfume of lilacs, cinnamon toast and fragrant earth over a core of plum preserves, Morello cherries and raspberry leaves, with a touch of fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate has lots of grace and freshness, framed by very soft tannins, finishing long and earthy. Very clever styling and a beautiful expression of the vintage! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

A tight, chewy wine with blackberry, blueberry and crushed stone. Some licorice and ash. Medium-to full-bodied. Flavorful and intense. Minerally. - James Suckling

Brilliant juice, the 2020 Château Dassault offers a rich, structured, medium to full-bodied vibe to go with lots of ripe black fruits, flowery incense, spice, and impressive minerality. It shows more and more tannins and structure with time in the glass, so my money is on short-term bottle age being required. - Jeb Dunnuck

Strong damson and grilled vanilla bean on the nose which hover over the palate before deciding where to fall. It doesn't push too hard, but finds a balance between glamour and freshness, even if erring on the concentrated, powerful side. A touch of welcome bitterness on the finish, this is less balanced than I found in the brilliant 2019 but highly enjoyable, confident and with a steady hand. 60% aged in new oak barrels, 33% one-year-old barrels, 7% amphoras. - Jane Anson, Decanter

The 2020 Dassault has a more composed bouquet compared to the 2018 that I tasted just a few weeks earlier, offering layers of black cherry and blueberry, pencil shavings and cedar tucked just underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, well-judged acidity and commendable cohesion. It feels slightly predictable on the finish, but I sense a little more elegance and poise compared to recent vintages.- Neal Martin, Vinous Media