2020 Ch Dassault 1er Cru Grand Classé, St-Émilion

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!

93-95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown robertparker.com

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.

90-92 points Neal Martin vinous.com

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

93-94 points James Suckling jamessuckling.com

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. Drinking Window 2028 - 2042

93 points Jane Anson decanter.com