Chateau Cote de Baleau 2015
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Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Côte de Baleau has a refined and intense bouquet with precise black and red fruit, seamlessly integrated oak and a sense of terroir coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity and plenty of finesse and poise towards the finish. This is such a pretty Saint Emilion that you almost overlook its length and persistence. It is one of the best wines that I have tasted from the estate. Barrel Sample: 92-94
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Wine Spectator
This has a juicy core of crushed raspberry, boysenberry and red currant fruit that has melded already with singed mesquite and iron threads. Best from 2020 through 2030.
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James Suckling
Attractive, spiced berry and earthy aromas with light mocha notes, leading to a palate with fresh red berries. A lithe, mid-weight clutch of tannins to close. Drink or hold.
Other Vintages
2022-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James - Vinous
- Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James - Decanter
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Parker
Robert
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James - Decanter
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Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
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Spectator
Wine
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Marked by its historic fortified village—perhaps the prettiest in all of Bordeaux, the St-Émilion appellation, along with its neighboring village of Pomerol, are leaders in quality on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These Merlot-dominant red wines (complemented by various amounts of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon) remain some of the most admired and collected wines of the world.
St-Émilion has the longest history in wine production in Bordeaux—longer than the Left Bank—dating back to an 8th century monk named Saint Émilion who became a hermit in one of the many limestone caves scattered throughout the area.
Today St-Émilion is made up of hundreds of independent farmers dedicated to the same thing: growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc (and tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon). While always roughly the same blend, the wines of St-Émilion vary considerably depending on the soil upon which they are grown—and the soils do vary considerably throughout the region.
The chateaux with the highest classification (Premier Grand Cru Classés) are on gravel-rich soils or steep, clay-limestone hillsides. There are only four given the highest rank, called Premier Grand Cru Classés A (Chateau Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Angélus, Pavie) and 14 are Premier Grand Cru Classés B. Much of the rest of the vineyards in the appellation are on flatter land where the soils are a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial matter.
Great wines from St-Émilion will be deep in color, and might have characteristics of blackberry liqueur, black raspberry, licorice, chocolate, grilled meat, earth or truffles. They will be bold, layered and lush.