Balestard La Tonnelle 2022 (750ML)

95-96 JS / 92 DE / 91 JA / 89-91 WI

Full-bodied, fine tannined and savory with chocolate and blackberry as well as hazelnut. Lovely and real St. Emilion. Polished and poised at the end. Best ever? - James Suckling

Juicy, bright and upfront, this has a nice shot of red berry fruit with high acidity and firm tannins that keeps the linear frame. Doesn't deviate too much from the centre all the way through with good persistence and direction. Sculpted and well handled with liquorice and clove on the finish that detracts a little from the fruity pleasure. Still, this has lots of life with crushed stones and strawberries at the fore. Great potential. Harvest 22 September - 7 October. Yield 31hl/ha. HVE certified. Ageing 15 months, 50% new French oak barrels, 50% one wine. Jean-Philippe Fort consultant. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Always a musuclar intense wine, and this is no exception. Really knitted down, a ton of slate and black fruit, sandalwood and cedar, smoked oak notes, squeezed middle, this has 2022 fingerprint. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Balestard La Tonnelle features flamboyant notes of stewed black cherries, prunes, and raisin cake, followed by hints of hoisin and cedar chest. The full-bodied palate has a zippy line of freshness and velvety tannins to frame the big, rich, concentrated black and blue fruit preserves flavors, finishing long and spicy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent