Cote de Baleau - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Château Côte de Baleau is truly full of pleasant surprises. Even with 30% sandy soil, each tasting reveals the distinct chalky texture of the limestone plateau. The aromas are slightly subdued at first, but even through a small crack, you can’t miss the refined fragrances of ripe cherries, iris, licorice slices, and small red dates. The finish carries the chalky notes that declare its profound connection to the Saint-Emilion plateau. With just 3-4 years of aging, it will even more shinning.

Wine Advocate

89

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

Aromas of cherries, berries and creamy new oak introduce the 2022 Côte de Baleau, a medium to full-bodied, rich and sweet wine that's balanced by lively acids.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Touch of gunsmoke reduction, and this remains extremely young at the in bottle moment, displaying austerity to the tannins and vivid plum and blackcurrant fruit. 15ha, Michel Rolland and Julien Viaud consultants, harvest September 13 to October 5, 20% new oak, 40% in stainless steel for 14 months.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Côte de Baleau, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc aged 25% new oak, the 2022 Château Cote De Baleau has a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a brilliant nose of smoky red and black fruits, spring flowers, graphite, and crushed stone. I love its overall purity, and it's medium to full-bodied and has a silky, elegant mouthfeel, gorgeous tannins, and a great finish.

Yvesbeck.wine

95

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc ?Les couverts végétaux ont un impact évident sur la vigne. Dans ce sens, la fraîcheur du terroir est perceptible dès les premières senteurs avec des nuances crayeuses et une touche mentholée. Elles vont de pair avec un côté plus généreux au travers de nuances de baies noires. La fraîcheur et l'ampleur sont omniprésentes en bouche, dès l'attaque. Cette dernière annonce d'entrée de l'équilibre avec des tannins parfaitement intégrés et une acidité structurante qui assure du tempérament et qui plébiscite l'expression aromatique de la finale. Un vin salivant et puissant qui mérite un peu d'épanouissement et qui promet de bien belles perspectives de garde. 2028-2047 95/100 ?

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Côte de Baleau has an expressive nose with clean and precise blackberry, graphite, pressed violet and iris scents. The palate is medium-bodied with a little more flesh than the Poujeaux. It's crisp, focused and mineral-driven, with plenty of energy on the finish derived from the limestone part of the vineyard. This is superb.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Very elegant with blackberries, black olives, spice and a hint of cedar on both the nose and palate. It's medium-bodied with well-integrated tannins that provide both length and beauty. Hard not to drink now. A blend 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Try after 2028.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Côte de Baleau is another gorgeous wine from the Cuvelier family. Deep and racy in the glass, the 2022 possesses terrific energy from start to finish. Blood orange, cinnamon, cherry, rose petal, new leather and mocha are all finely cut in this aromatic, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. The 2022 is a stellar Côte de Baleau and a wine that points to greater ambition for this property. Moreover, Côte de Baleau is one of the best wines readers will find in its price range. Impressive.

Decanter.com

93

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Super perfumed on the nose. Sharp, just shy of sour blackcurrant and black cherry on the nose and palate, vibrant. Lovely crushed stone and powdery texture to the tannins - they're prominent giving some tightness on the mid palate with a liquorice and dark chocolate edge to the frame towards the finish. Serious but well worked, lean but detailed, just a bit tense right now though does feel sculpted with a cool minty freshness on the finish. Tasted twice and kept the higher score. Rolland & Associés consultants.

Alexandre Ma

92-93

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

Château Côte de Baleau consistently impresses me. Despite having 30% sandy soil, every tasting reveals the unique chalky texture of the limestone plateau. While the aroma during En Primeurs may seem somewhat reserved, a whiff of mature cherries, iris flowers, licorice, and small red dates can be discerned through the half-opened door, leaving a lasting impression. I can hardly wait to see how it will perform after bottling.

Vinous

92-94

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Côte 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.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

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.

The Wine Independent

91-93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Cote de Baleau bursts forth with bold notes of plum pudding, baked blackberries, and cedar chest, plus wafts of Indian spices and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black fruits with ripe, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy.

Bettane & Desseauve

92

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

C’est à la fois puissant tout en restant élégant avec un fruit déjà expressif et de l’équilibre.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The 2022 Château Cote De Baleau is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc raised in barrels. It's a pure, elegant, classic Saint-Emilion with obvious minerality as well as notes of black raspberries, chocolate, gravelly earth, and truffle. This medium to full-bodied, layered, elegant barrel sample has terrific tannins, perfect ripeness, and outstanding length. Tasted twice.

Vinous

90-92

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Côte 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-Émilion. Côte de Baleau is usually pretty forthcoming. The 2022 might need some time to come together. Drinking window : 2025-2037

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Flowers, black raspberries, licorice, espresso, and black cherries form the core of this wine. Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, forward, and already delicious to enjoy due to all of its supple, sweet, polished, ripe, fresh fruits, this is going to be a pleasure to enjoy on release. The wine blends 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2025-2036.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Juicy fruit here with dark berry, slate and sea salt aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with linear and fine tannins, and a juicy finish.