This estate didn`t produce any wine in 2017 because of frost, but it`s back again in 2018. Damson and plum flavours are joined by charred oak. This goes long on tannins, one of the more chewy on display. The yield was 24hl/ha, and this is probably why everything feels just a little over concentrated - these soils are naturally powerful enough. 20% new oak. Owned by the Cuvelier family with Michel Rolland as consultant. 90 points

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cote de Baleau offers up notions of raisin cake, prunes and Chinese five spice with touches of tobacco and fallen leaves. Rich, full-bodied and very spicy in the dried berry-laced mouth, it has a chewy texture and lively lift on the finish. 88-90 points

The 2018 Cote de Baleau is a very pretty, understated wine built on precision and nuance. Sweet floral and spice notes add character to a nuanced, pleasant Saint-Émilion that will drink well pretty much on release. This is very nicely done. The purity of the flavors is striking. Tasted two times. 89-92 points

The harvest ran from October 1st to the 18th. The vineyard is mostly Merlot, and yields are typically around 25 hl/ha, so we can assume the 2018 follows this theme. It has a rather roasted and yet still fragrant style on the nose, with scents of macerated cherries and raspberries, with some currant and black olive notes. The palate twists this seam of black fruits within a wonderfully dense, sooty, and yet perfumed style, with white peonies, sweetpea and rose scents, touched by liquorice and praline complexities, all supported by a svelte texture and a ripe and velvety grip of tannins. A lovely structure to it, ripe and polished, fresh and substantial, this has real energy. This is certainly grand cru classé quality. Well done. 93-95 points