2025 Cote de Baleau (St-Emilion)

The 2025 Cote de Baleau is quite dense in this vintage, largely due to a reduction of fruit from sandier soils. This usually comprises about a third of the blend, but these parcels are currently being redeveloped. Succulent dark cherry fruit, new leather, licorice, mocha and sweet French oak are pushed forward. Plush contours wrap it all up in style. This is a fine choice for medium-term drinking, once the tannins soften a bit. Tasted two times. 90-93 points

The 2025 Cote de Baleau offers up notes of minty cherries and red fruit preserve, followed by a medium-bodied, firm, taut palate. Some two hectares of the estate, located on sandy soils, is undergoing replanting, so this year`s blend is skewed in favor of the estate`s more structured terroirs. 87-89 points

Enticing aromatics that beautifully capture the blue and black brambled fruits that are on offer in 2025. The oak is smoky and full of character, intense but with balance, skilfully handled. Harvest September 10 to 22. 25% new oak. 36hl/ha yield. 93 points