Cote de Baleau - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Vinous

91

par Neal Martin le 01/02/2026

The 2023 Côte de Baleau has a tightly wound bouquet with mainly black fruit, mixed with pressed roses and allspice scents. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive grip on the entry, more volume and density than its peers, quite peppery toward the finish that has satisfying sustain. Very promising.

Jamessuckling.com

93

par James Suckling le 27/01/2026

Aromas of bark, subtle dark berries and chalk. Medium-bodied, with precise, chalky tannins framing delicate dark fruit and a tight finish. Structured yet showing restrained underlying power. 95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc. Needs a bit more time to soften. Better from 2028.

My Bettane + Desseauve

90

par Bettane & Desseauve le 15/05/2024

90 % de merlot et 10 % de cabernet franc permettent à ce vin d’être au rendez-vous du millésime. Belle réussite.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-94

par Jeb Dunnuck le 13/05/2024

The 2023 Château Cote De Baleau is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 30% new barrels. It has a deeper ruby hue as well as gorgeous aromatics of cassis and ripe mulberries along with spring flowers, graphite, and a kiss of minerality. This medium-bodied, elegant, graceful Saint-Emilion has fine tannins, terrific balance, and outstanding length. It's clearly outstanding, if not a touch more.

The Wine Independent

88-90

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 07/05/2024

The 2023 Cote de Baleau is deep garnet-purple in color. Scents of ripe plums, blackberries, and black olives hop from the glass, followed by playful hints of kirsch and rosebud tea. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit and refreshing, with lightly chewy tannins and a savory finish. The blend is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

The Drinks Business

89-91

par Colin Hay le 07/05/2024

Côte de Baleau (St Emilion Grand Cru Classé; 17 hectare with limestone, clay and sand – a third of each; 95% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Franc; a final yield of 40 hl/ha; pH 3.83; 14% alcohol; a final yield of 50 hl/ha; tasted at the Association des Grands Crus Classés at Dassault and then at Clos Fourtet with Matthieu Cuvelier). Floral, too, and nicely defined aromatically by the Cabernet elements, even more so when tasted a second time. Very pure and focused. Out of respect for the fruit, there’s very little oak. But that fruit is almost a little herbaceous at times. I don’t have too much trouble with that, but it’s not everyone’s proverbial cup of tea. Light and finely-textured, lacking a little mid-palate oomph and maybe hinting towards dryness on the finish. Better when tasted a second time at Clos Fourtet. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

par Jeff Leve le 06/05/2024

Anise, cherries, flowers, and black raspberries, with accents of espresso show nicely on the nose, and palate. The wine is fresh, spicy, bright, and lifted on the mid-palate, and in the elegant finish, leaving you with touches of dark chocolate, espresso, and sweet, red cherries. This should be quite a pleasure to enjoy on release, and over the next 10-12 years. The wine blends 95% Merlot, with 5% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

89

par Jane Anson le 06/05/2024

Inky rich purple, grilled espresso and coffee bean, black pepper and intense dried fruit notes feel intense, with quick tannic buildup, balanced by salinity and pep. 25% new oak for ageing. Sandy, clay, limestone soils.

Vinous

90-92

par Antonio Galloni le 30/04/2024

The 2023 Côte de Baleau is a pretty rich wine this year, a Saint-Émilion that reflects the intensity of the vintage and the personality of clay-rich souls that confer textural breadth. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, incense, leather and pencil shavings are all amplified. Time in the glass brings out pretty floral top notes that add brightness. It will be interesting to see how this responds to élevage. Today, the 2023 is on the richer side for this cuvée. The blend is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.

Vinous

90-92

par Neal Martin le 29/04/2024

The 2023 Côte de Baleau was picked September 14 to October 3 and matured in 25% new oak. It is very perfumed on the nose that oddly brings me toward a warm vintage Burgundy! Very pure and floral, it gains composure as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Fresh and vibrant, this feels nicely focused with a citrus-fresh, graphite-tinged finish. Promising.

Alexandre Ma

91-92

par Alexandre Ma le 28/04/2024

Wine Advocate

90-91

par William Kelley le 26/04/2024

From the team behind Clos Fourtet, the 2023 Côte de Baleau offers up aromas of sweet cherries, berries and kirsch followed by a medium to full-bodied, polished and suave palate. It's a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

par James Suckling le 25/04/2024

Very structured, yet the tannins are polished and poised, framing dark berries, minerals and a hint of cedar. Medium to full body and a long, creamy finish. Better than 2022?

Vertdevin

93-94

par Jonathan Chicheportiche le 24/04/2024