2022 Cote de Baleau (St-Emilion)

A kick of austerity on the opening beats, then this softens and widens to show creamy black cherry, bitter chocolate and intese spice, reflective of this cooler terroir. 20% new oak, 20% Second-fill barrels, 20% third-fill barrels, 40% in vat. 40hl/h yield. Harvest September 13 to October 5, 20% new oak. 92 points

The 2022 Cote de Baleau is quite racy and extroverted in this vintage, as one might expect. Bright red-toned fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper lend notable brilliance to this mid-weight Saint-Emilion. Cote de Baleau is usually pretty forthcoming. The 2022 might need some time to come together. 90-92 points

The 2022 Cote de Baleau has a well-defined bouquet with black cherries, bilberry and floral scents, quite complex and focused. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with more pliant tannins than many of its peers, lending it a rounded texture, beautifully balanced with a minerally finish. This represents a big step up from the 2021. 92-94 points