Cote De Baleau 2019 (750ML)

94 VM / 93 JA / 91 JS / 91-93 JD / 91 WCI

The 2019 Côte de Baleau takes quite a few minutes to settle in the glass. It has a very concentrated bouquet of black cherries, mulberry, touches of licorice and hints of graphite. The medium-bodied palate offers sappy black fruit and fine definition. Very focused, with a sensual and substantial finish. Superb. -  Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

A confident contemporary expression of St Emilion, and on song here. Muscular rippled raspberry and loganberry notes, vanilla bean and grilled almonds, good tension through the mid palate. Enjoyable, if a little brittle. Great quality, tasted twice. The Cuvelier family is now minority shareholder in this, with Sophie Fourcade in charge and majority owner. They made no wine in 2017 because of frost, 40% of normal yield in 2018, and finally in 2019 a healthy 50hl/hl. Fully renovated cellar also, with twice as many vats as previously. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Pine needles, bark, potpourri, blackberries and currants on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with tight, chewy tannins. Fleshy, textured finish. Try after 2024. - James Suckling

The 2019 Château Côte De Baleau shows beautifully, with lots of spicy red and black fruits, subtle background oak, medium to full body, and a great finish. I loved the 2016 and 2018, and this is certainly in the same ballpark. - Jeb Dunnuck

Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, elegantly-textured, forward wine with loads of sweet, ripe, red fruits, touches of spice, cherries, plums, espresso and cocoa on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2022-2033.-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider