2020 Chateau Dassault Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Created in the mid-1800s by the Fourcaud family—best known for founding the legendary Château Cheval Blanc—this Saint-Émilion estate initially went by the name Château Couperie, a tribute to its address, 1 Couperie. But history took a new turn in 1955 when aviation magnate Marcel Dassault acquired the property. What began as a vineyard transformed under his careful stewardship into one of Bordeaux’s most respected names.

Marcel Dassault didn’t just update the vineyards—he redefined them. With precision inherited from his work in aviation, he modernized the estate’s infrastructure, upgraded its drainage system, and reimagined its winemaking approach. In true Bordeaux fashion, he renamed it Château Dassault, cementing his legacy and aligning the estate with the family’s reputation for excellence and innovation.

Fast forward to 2020, and the estate is flying high. The family still runs the show, backed by partnerships with Lafite Rothschild and Cheval Blanc. The Dassaults are minority partners in both Château Cheval Blanc and Château Lafite Rothschild, while also owning stakes in other legendary estates like Château L’Évangile and Château Rieussec. This web of Bordeaux royalty elevates their wines and strengthens their position in the market—one of exclusivity, heritage, and top-tier partnerships.

This isn’t cookie-cutter Saint-Émilion. The terroir includes old vines co-planted on sand, clay, and limestone. They even kept a 2-hectare parcel of ancient vines that delivers serious depth. Add in a team led by Laurene Brun, with Rolland still in the mix, plus Louis Mitjavile (yes, from Tertre Roteboeuf) lending his magic, and you’ve got a wine that punches well above its classification.

If you want to drink like an insider—this is it. If you want a taste of the old Bordeaux aristocracy with a modern attitude—this is it. If you want something that looks classic but drinks with energy and lift—this is most definitely it.

2020 was an exceptional vintage that was awarded 98 points by Vinous Media, who said, “An exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, certainly the best in the 2018-2020 trilogy. Quality is exceptionally high among the great wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.”

Aging: 14 to 18 months 70 % in new barrels - 30 % in one year old barrels.

73 % Merlot, 22 % Cabernet Franc, 5 % Cabernet Sauvignon. See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

The deep purple-hued 2020 Château Dassault is another remarkable 2020 Saint-Emilion that shines on all accounts. Gorgeous raspberries, blueberries, dried flowers, spicy wood, and orange blossom notes all emerge from this complex, elegant, medium to full-bodied effort, and it's balanced, has silky tannins, and a great finish. It's going to shine with just 2-3 years of bottle age, and I suspect have 15-20 years of overall longevity. ~95 Jeb Dunnuck

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! ~95-93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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. ~93 Decanter

Aromas of ripe berries, cloves, anisette, chocolate and wet earth. Medium- to full-bodied. Showing depth and intensity, it has layers of fine, velvety tannins and a plush, dark fruit character. Lingering, chalky finish. Try after 2026. ~93 James Suckling

Dark ruby, purple reflections, deep core, discreet ochre brightening on the rim. Ripe plums, dark cherries, candied orange zest, some underlying nougat, subtle hints of coconut and herbs. On the palate juicy with sweet cherries, integrated, ripe tannins, mineral-salty. A delicate chocolate touch in the long finish. A versatile food companion. ~93 Falstaff

Intense and concentrated, goes long on espresso, coffee bean, cocoa powder, along with blueberry and damson fruit, and grilled vanilla bean. It strays a little too far over the line for me, but this is an impressively constructed wine, no question – just give it time. Dassault family owners, Jean-Philippe Fort consultant, 24ha property. ~93 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Firm and solid, this foursquare wine is set to develop richly and with deliberation. The dry tannins are the initial impression, masking the potential of the rich berry fruits. It will take its time before showing the perfumed attractiveness that is in there. ~92 Wine Enthisiast

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. ~92-90 Vinous Media

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