Another killer wine in the vintage is the 2020 Château Côte De Baleau, which comes from a cooler, north-facing vineyard on the eastern side of the appellation. Almost all Merlot, it offers a medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling, layered style that carries plenty of ripe tannins, terrific mid-palate depth, and textbook Right Bank Merlot notes of red and black cherries, leather, dried flowers, and chalky minerality. It picks up more and more minerality with time in the glass and is a bonafide mineral bomb. Give it just a few years in the cellar and enjoy it over the coming 15-20 years.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)
They do such a good job of enrobing the limestone austerity enough to give a whiff of gunsmoke and toasted oak, without obscuring the blueberry and raspberry fruits, along with salinity and a tingle of minerality. Mathieu Cuvlier director, consultant Julien Viaud. 15ha,
94 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2023)
The 2020 Côte de Baleau has a lovely lilting bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, forest floor and hints of graphite. The oak is very well integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine tannins. It is nicely proportioned with a sophisticated off-dry finish. What a superb Saint-Émilion. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
93 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Nov 2024)
Aromas of currants and blackberries with spiced chocolate, dried herbs and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and vivid acidity. Structured and meaty. Shows freshness and juiciness to its deep, dark-fruited character. Toned, firm finish. Drink from 2025.
93 points, James Suckling (Nov 2022)
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Cote de Baleau is a touch closed to begin, offering subtle notes of tar, new leather, and damp soil before giving way to a core of baked black plums and boysenberry preserves. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and velvety, coating the mouth with spicy black fruit preserves, finishing long with a peppery kick.
92 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)
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