Château Cote de Baleau Saint Emilion 2022

The 2022 Cote 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.

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.

This is stylish, with a core of mulled black cherry and black currant fruit that glides through, laced with chestnut, violet and alder hints, all backed by a tug of warm earth on the lengthy finish. Solid. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2038. 4,500 cases made.

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.

Rich and deep, careful with cleanly-focused extraction. Blueberry fruits with an attractive smoky undertone that curls up through the glass. Owned by Mathieu Cuvelier since 2013. 20% new oak.