Still ruby/plum-hued with minimal lightening, the 2010 Château Sansonnet (85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc aged in 70% new oak) offers a terrific nose of darker berries, leafy tobacco, and truffly earth, with a kiss of violet and cedar nuances. It's concentrated, medium to full-bodied, with a beautifully layered mouthfeel and ripe tannins. This brilliant 2010 has another 15 years of prime drinking ahead. Drink 2025-2038.

With new owners and a new consultant Stephane Derenoncourt the estate fashioned an 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc blend from yields of just 19 hectoliters per hectare that's filled with fresh spice minerals jammy plums and anise. Plush and round this rich wine ends with soft textures and licorice coated jammy maraschino cherries.

2010: This will be a property to watch since it changed owners in 2009 and consultant Stephane Derenoncourt and more recently Jean-Philippe Fort Michel Rolland's assistant have been trying to resurrect this property. Yields in 2010 were minuscule (19 hectoliters per hectare) and the wine hit 15% natural alcohol from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque ruby/purple very up-front forward and quite delicious I could have drunk it had it not been tasted on two different occasions in the morning. Exhibiting beautiful black currant fruit along with kirsch licorice and some background spicy oak the wine is opulent medium to full-bodied and definitely a sleeper of the vintage.