Victory would have taken Bristol top of the table above west country rivals Bath.
But Sale never looked back after scrum-half Raffi Quirke set the tone when he breached Bristol's defence inside three minutes.
Bristol had collected a try-scoring bonus point in each of their last nine league games, equalling the Premiership record.
Sale, in stark contrast, were without a point of any description on their Premiership travels this term, but those statistics were shredded on a spectacular night for Alex Sanderson's team.
Tom Roebuck added a second try before half-time before Ben Curry's interception score sealed the win early in the second period.
Tom O'Flaherty secured a bonus point 14 minutes from time.
Centre Rob du Preez kicked three penalties and three conversions, while fly-half George Ford dropped a goal as Sale's statement win served notice of their title credentials.