2020 Cote de Baleau (St-Emilion)

Rich and deep, careful with cleanly-focused extraction. Blueberry fruits with an attractive smoky undertone that curls up through the glass. Owned by Mathieu Cuvelier since 2013. 20% new oak. 91 points

The 2020 Côte de Baleau was picked September 15–30 at 50hl/ha and matured in 20% new oak. It has a very pretty nose of brambly red fruit tinged with blueberry, well defined and quite vivacious. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins, a fine bead of acidity and quite a pixelated finish. A classy Côte de Baleau that shows you can pick at higher yields in 2020 and still make a fine wine. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 90-92 points

The 2020 Cote de Baleau is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, harvested from 15th to 30th September and weighing in with an alcohol of 14.2%. It is being aged for 16-18 months in 20% new oak barrels, 60% second-fill barrels and 20% in vats. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little swirling to coax out youthful notions of crushed blackberries, mulberries and kirsch, plus hints of tar and dried Mediterranean herbs. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with crunchy red and black fruits with a chewy texture and lively backbone lifting the finish. 87-89 points

Deep, rich, purplish crimson. So concentrated that it`s quite difficult to discern much aroma. But there`s no shortage of concentrated ripe fruit, nor of tannin. No heat of alcohol but real grip on the palate before a rather inky, slightly bitter finish. My only reservation is whether the fruit will ever dominate the tannin. 15.5 points

Dense; black-fruit ripe, rich, fresh, finely if slightly drily tannic; richly ripe, a combination of matter, freshness, and vitality, with good length of flavor at the level, and a very nice persistence of fruit. Delicious. Best Côte de Baleau so far? Drink 2025–35+. 90–91 points