Chateau Dassault St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

chateau-dassault

Learn everything about Chateau Dassault St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn all the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Dassault History, Overview

Chateau Dassault was created in the mid-1800s by a member of the Fourcaud family. If the Fourcaud family sounds familiar to you it is because they are best known for creating Chateau Cheval Blanc. At the time of its birth, the estate started out life under the name of Chateau Couperie. At the time, the property was named after its address, 1 Couperie. That changed in 1955 when the vineyard was purchased by Marcel Dassault.

Not only did Marcel Dassault completely renovate the entire Saint Emilion estate and its vineyards, as well as improve the drainage system, but he also renamed the property as well following the old custom of naming your Bordeaux winery after yourself. He rechristened the estate, Chateau Dassault. The family fortune comes from the airline industry, they are the owners of Dassault aviation. The Dassault family has a wide range of investments that include the French newspaper, Le Figaro.

The Dassault family continues to own and manage Chateau Dassault today through their holding company Chateau Wine Estates. If you did not know, Chateau Dassault deserves credit for being the first estate to bring in Michel Rolland as their consultant, starting with the 1982 vintage.

The Dassault family maintains a strong relationship with Chateau Lafite Rothschild, as their wines are aided in their distribution by Lafite Rothschild. In fact, they have a deeper connection with the Rothschild family as they are partners in Chateau L’Evangile. The Dassault family also own a 5% stake in Chateau Rieussec as well as a 5% stake in Chateau LEvangile in the Pomerol appellation in partnership with the Rothschild family.

The Dassault family is also a minority partner in Chateau Cheval Blanc. In 2002, Laurent Dassault purchased the neighboring estate of Chateau La Fleur. At the time, it was expected that the two vineyards, Chateau La Fleur and Chateau Dassault would merge. But that is not what took place. Instead, Laurent Dassault allowed La Fleur to remain its own vineyard with its unique identity.

In January 2014, the Dassault family added to their holdings in Saint Emilion with the purchase of Chateau Faurie de Souchard from the Sicard family. Laurene Brun is currently the manager of the estate. She is assisted by a team of consultants including Michel Rolland and Louis Mitjavile from Tertre Roteboeuf. In late 2016, the Dassault family increased their vineyard holdings in St. Emilion when they bought Chateau Trimoulet.

During the 1990s, there was a problem with off-odors in the wine of Chateau Dassault. That problem no longer exists. Following those problems, Chateau Dassault recently finished another modernizing of their Right Bank wine-making facilities with a renovation of their vat rooms. In 2022, Dassault increased the size of their vineyards by annexing the vines formerly belonging to Chateau Faurie de Souchard.

Chateau Dassault

Chateau Dassault Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 40-hectare vineyard of Chateau Dassault is planted to 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The current vineyard blend shows a change in their plantings. Previously, the estate had a larger percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. That was reduced in favor of planting more Cabernet Franc. The vineyard changed again with the addition of the vines from Faurie de Souchard in 2022.

The terroir is sand, clay, and chalk soils. The vines average 35 years of age. However, they also have a 2-hectare parcel of very old vines that have co-plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. That parcel of old vines is probably the best terroir found in the vineyards.

Located in the northern part of the Saint Emilion appellation, the vineyard is planted to a vine density of 5,500 vines per hectare. It is interesting to note that not all of their land is cultivated. A sizable portion of the estate has been set aside for verdant, park-like surroundings and gardens.

To produce the wine of Chateau Dassault, vinification takes place in traditional, 60-hectoliter concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels.

Chateau Dassault is aged in up to 100% new, French oak barrels for between 14 to 18 months, depending on the vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Dassault are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, and 2005.

Production is close to 5,500 cases of Chateau Dassault wine per vintage. There is a second wine, Le D de Dassault.

When to Drink Chateau Dassault, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Dassault is better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage.

Chateau Dassault is best enjoyed in the first 5-18 years of life. Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Chateau Dassault with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau Dassault is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Dassault is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Dassault is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, pasta, and a diverse array of cheese.

In 2005, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Chateau Dassault, they bottled a limited number of double magnums that were packaged in an elaborate, custom-designed case and signed by the owner.

In 2008, they produced a unique wine from three barrels, Cuvee Jean Pierre Vigato that was purchased as an exclusive offering by the well-known Parisian restaurant Apicius. The Dassault family is also involved with wineries in the Mendoza region of Argentina and in Chile as well.

www.chateaudassault.com

Château Dassault Wine Tasting Notes

18 Vintages 73,210 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
93
Deeply colored, the wine is loaded with chocolate, espresso, cinnamon, flowers, and black cherries. The fruits are creamy, luscious, ripe, sweet, and vibrant with a chocolate edge to the berries in the finish. This is an outstanding vintage for Chateau Dassault! Drink from 2025-2042. 92-94 Pts.

Deeply colored, the wine is loaded with chocolate, espresso, cinnamon, flowers, and black cherries. The fruits are creamy, luscious, ripe, sweet, and vibrant with a chocolate edge to the berries in the finish. This is an outstanding vintage for Chateau Dassault! Drink from 2025-2042. 92-94 Pts.

1,647 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Espresso, coffee bean, smoke, forest leaf, tobacco and dark red fruits crowd into the nose and also in the round, supple, lushly-textured palate. You can enjoy this for all its up-front, ripe fruits on release. Drink from 2023-2038. 89-91

Espresso, coffee bean, smoke, forest leaf, tobacco and dark red fruits crowd into the nose and also in the round, supple, lushly-textured palate. You can enjoy this for all its up-front, ripe fruits on release. Drink from 2023-2038. 89-91

1,113 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Flowers, cherries, espresso, licorice, and smoke create the perfume here. The wine is full-bodied, deep and long, with richness. intensity, and lift, giving you a solid backdrop for all of its supple-textured, chocolate covered, red fruits on the mid-palate and in the finish. This is an outstanding vintage for Chateau Dassault! Drink from 2024-2040.

Flowers, cherries, espresso, licorice, and smoke create the perfume here. The wine is full-bodied, deep and long, with richness. intensity, and lift, giving you a solid backdrop for all of its supple-textured, chocolate covered, red fruits on the mid-palate and in the finish. This is an outstanding vintage for Chateau Dassault! Drink from 2024-2040.

795 Views   Tasted
Dark garnet in color, the wine pops with scents of smoke, espresso, licorice, cherry liqueur and flowers. Rich, full-bodied, deep and long, there is intensity, ripe, silky tannins and loads of energy giving you a long, generous, supple-textured, fruit, spice and chocolate-filled finish. This will be even better if you give it a few years to come together before pulling a cork. 92-94 Pts

Dark garnet in color, the wine pops with scents of smoke, espresso, licorice, cherry liqueur and flowers. Rich, full-bodied, deep and long, there is intensity, ripe, silky tannins and loads of energy giving you a long, generous, supple-textured, fruit, spice and chocolate-filled finish. This will be even better if you give it a few years to come together before pulling a cork. 92-94 Pts

1,167 Views   Tasted
2020
88
Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, clean red fruits with a touch of flowers, fennel and cocoa to round things out. This is ready for consumption on release. Drink from 2023-2030.

Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, clean red fruits with a touch of flowers, fennel and cocoa to round things out. This is ready for consumption on release. Drink from 2023-2030.

1,268 Views   Tasted
2019
92
Dark, lush, red fruits with black plums and coffee bean nuances form the core of the wine. On the palate, the wine is round, opulent, polished, and rich, with loads of black plums, licorice, and chocolate on the mid-palate and in the finish. This is already easy to taste, but a few years in the cellar will make it an even better wine. Drink from 2023-2035.

Dark, lush, red fruits with black plums and coffee bean nuances form the core of the wine. On the palate, the wine is round, opulent, polished, and rich, with loads of black plums, licorice, and chocolate on the mid-palate and in the finish. This is already easy to taste, but a few years in the cellar will make it an even better wine. Drink from 2023-2035.

1,360 Views   Tasted
Deep in color, the wine loads you up with its roasted coffee bean, smoke, licorice, herbs and cherry tinged perfume. Ripe, fleshy and fresh, with a blast of black cherries and oak in the finish, give this a few years to come together before pulling a cork. 90-92 Pts

Deep in color, the wine loads you up with its roasted coffee bean, smoke, licorice, herbs and cherry tinged perfume. Ripe, fleshy and fresh, with a blast of black cherries and oak in the finish, give this a few years to come together before pulling a cork. 90-92 Pts

2,709 Views   Tasted
2018
91
Smoky, with background notes of espresso, licorice and plums on the nose. Supple, lush, round and forward, there is a strong touch of oak in the finish, so give it time to better integrate and show off all its sweet, juicy, dark red fruits.

Smoky, with background notes of espresso, licorice and plums on the nose. Supple, lush, round and forward, there is a strong touch of oak in the finish, so give it time to better integrate and show off all its sweet, juicy, dark red fruits.

2,467 Views   Tasted
Smoke, licorice and espresso jump before you'll find the juicy black cherries. The wine is round, supple and oaky. Produced in a modern style, this is going to please some more than others. You will be able to enjoy this wine early. 90-92 Pts

Smoke, licorice and espresso jump before you'll find the juicy black cherries. The wine is round, supple and oaky. Produced in a modern style, this is going to please some more than others. You will be able to enjoy this wine early. 90-92 Pts

3,200 Views   Tasted
2018
84
Light, fruity, forward, early drinking, red berry and cocoa oriented charmer that is ready for consumption on release.

Light, fruity, forward, early drinking, red berry and cocoa oriented charmer that is ready for consumption on release.

1,227 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Incense, smoke, licorice, wet earth and ripe. dark cherries are all over the place here. The wine is ripe, fleshy and round with a silky, polished, espresso, vanilla and plum finish. Give it a few years for the oak to integrate and this will a very nice treat.

Incense, smoke, licorice, wet earth and ripe. dark cherries are all over the place here. The wine is ripe, fleshy and round with a silky, polished, espresso, vanilla and plum finish. Give it a few years for the oak to integrate and this will a very nice treat.

2,398 Views   Tasted
Round, ripe juicy berries, licorice, fresh brewed espresso, plum and dark chocolate create the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine is lush, soft and round with loads of dark red sweet fruits, cocoa, licorice and coffee bean. Drink it young or age it for a few years.

Round, ripe juicy berries, licorice, fresh brewed espresso, plum and dark chocolate create the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine is lush, soft and round with loads of dark red sweet fruits, cocoa, licorice and coffee bean. Drink it young or age it for a few years.

1,561 Views   Tasted
2015
91
Dark in color, the texture is lush, the fruits are ripe, fat and juicy, there is weight and density, with a finish of dark cherries, espresso, chocolate, and coffee bean.

Dark in color, the texture is lush, the fruits are ripe, fat and juicy, there is weight and density, with a finish of dark cherries, espresso, chocolate, and coffee bean.

3,901 Views   Tasted
Dark in color, the wine is lushly textured, with loads of fat, ripe, dark cherries, smoke, espresso and licorice. The round, finish is filled with dark chocolate, black cherry and coffee bean notes.

Dark in color, the wine is lushly textured, with loads of fat, ripe, dark cherries, smoke, espresso and licorice. The round, finish is filled with dark chocolate, black cherry and coffee bean notes.

3,527 Views   Tasted
Dark in color, with a lush, fat, ripe, fruit forward style, there is a blast of sweet, black cherry, dark chocolate, licorice and espresso in every sniff, sip and swallow.

Dark in color, with a lush, fat, ripe, fruit forward style, there is a blast of sweet, black cherry, dark chocolate, licorice and espresso in every sniff, sip and swallow.

1,978 Views   Tasted
Plush, ripe and forward, this wine serves up a modern-styled blend of juicy, chocolate-covered cherries, licorice, espresso bean and smoke with soft, round textures.

Plush, ripe and forward, this wine serves up a modern-styled blend of juicy, chocolate-covered cherries, licorice, espresso bean and smoke with soft, round textures.

1,796 Views   Tasted
2014
90
A light breakfast of black raspberry jam and espresso on the nose, this wine is soft, polished and already easy to drink. 89-91 Pts

A light breakfast of black raspberry jam and espresso on the nose, this wine is soft, polished and already easy to drink. 89-91 Pts

2,754 Views   Tasted
2013
89
Spicy red berries, oak and fennel scents are enhanced by the mineral-driven, bright red berry and licorice finish. From a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 88-90 Pts

Spicy red berries, oak and fennel scents are enhanced by the mineral-driven, bright red berry and licorice finish. From a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 88-90 Pts

2,137 Views   Tasted
2012
90
Round, lush and approachable, that is, if you like sweet, dark, red fruits, vanilla bean, espresso and licorice. Give it another year or two.

Round, lush and approachable, that is, if you like sweet, dark, red fruits, vanilla bean, espresso and licorice. Give it another year or two.

3,669 Views   Tasted
Medium bodied, dominated by juicy, ripe, red berries, anise and spice, this will drink well on release. 89-91 Pts

Medium bodied, dominated by juicy, ripe, red berries, anise and spice, this will drink well on release. 89-91 Pts

4,180 Views   Tasted
2011
89
Successful for the vintage, licorice, black cherries, coffee bean and vanilla scents open to a medium bodied, round, spicy, red berry filled, forward wine.

Successful for the vintage, licorice, black cherries, coffee bean and vanilla scents open to a medium bodied, round, spicy, red berry filled, forward wine.

2,345 Views   Tasted
As of 2010, the wine has begun to see malolactic in barrel and is aged in 100% new oak. With an assemblage of 80% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine opens with spice and red berries, has a medium body and ends with a slight dry sensation with kirsch and black raspberry. 87-89 Pts

As of 2010, the wine has begun to see malolactic in barrel and is aged in 100% new oak. With an assemblage of 80% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine opens with spice and red berries, has a medium body and ends with a slight dry sensation with kirsch and black raspberry. 87-89 Pts

2,267 Views   Tasted
2010
90
Licorice, ripe dark berries, jam, coffee bean and earthy scents lead to a plush, ripe, juicy, delicious, plush textured wine that is one of the few 2010 Bordeaux wines that can be enjoyed in its youth.

Licorice, ripe dark berries, jam, coffee bean and earthy scents lead to a plush, ripe, juicy, delicious, plush textured wine that is one of the few 2010 Bordeaux wines that can be enjoyed in its youth.

4,021 Views   Tasted
2009
87
Medium bodied with spicy red and black fruit, this lighter, traditional style of St. Emilion is tannic and dry in the otherwise, bright, fresh, tart, red fruit finish.

Medium bodied with spicy red and black fruit, this lighter, traditional style of St. Emilion is tannic and dry in the otherwise, bright, fresh, tart, red fruit finish.

4,976 Views   Tasted
2008
88
08 Château Dassault is made in a light, early drinking style of St. Emilion. The medium bodied wine expresses fresh berries with a touch of oak, finishing with a pleasing kirsch note. 87-89 Pts

08 Château Dassault is made in a light, early drinking style of St. Emilion. The medium bodied wine expresses fresh berries with a touch of oak, finishing with a pleasing kirsch note. 87-89 Pts

2,158 Views   Tasted
2006
90
Developing nicely and drinking in a good spot today, that is if you like, licorice, truffle, espresso and juicy, round textured black plums in every sip and swallow.

Developing nicely and drinking in a good spot today, that is if you like, licorice, truffle, espresso and juicy, round textured black plums in every sip and swallow.

5,563 Views   Tasted
2005
87
Medium bodied and displaying red and black fruit character, this slightly rustic wine ends with a bright, tart quality that others might like more than I did.

Medium bodied and displaying red and black fruit character, this slightly rustic wine ends with a bright, tart quality that others might like more than I did.

7,026 Views   Tasted