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96
Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Côte de Baleau pops from the glass with energetic notes of raspberry preserves and red currant jelly, followed by hints of red roses, clove oil, and fallen leaves. The medium- to full-bodied palate has a very firm backbone of grainy tannins with a lively line cutting through the dense, muscular red preserves flavors, finishing long and perfumed."
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95
James Suckling: A juicy and fruity wine with a lovely center palate of fruit. It’s medium-bodied with polished tannins and a savory finish. Very pretty already."
94
Falstaff: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Kräuterwürze, schwarze Kirschen, reife Zwetschken, deutliche Merlot-Prägung, kandierte Mandarinenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, gute Frische, dezente Süße, reife Tannine, strukturiert, kalkige Mineralität verleiht einen kühleren Charakter, gute Länge, ein feinwürziger Speisenbegleiter, sicheres Reifepotenzial."
93
Jane Anson: Enticing aromatics that beautifully capture the blue and black brambled fruits that are on offer in 2025. The oak is smoky and full of character, intense but with balance, skilfully handled. Harvest September 10 to 22. 25% new oak. 36hl/ha yield."
93
Vinum: Zurückhaltend, mit Tiefe, dunkle Kirschfrucht, Pflaumen, Rosenblüten; am Gaumen cremig und rund im Auftakt, wird dann straffer, sehr dicht und mit kräftigen Kalktanninen, saftige Frucht, das ist wie ein Biss in einen Korb von Waldbeeren; mineralisch geprägtes, langes und würziges Finale. Ein ausgezeichneter, dabei eher maskuliner Côte de Baleau, der etwas Kellerreife verdient."
93
Decanter: Ripe blackcurrant aromas on the nose. Fresh and lively with a lovely tangy aspect straight away - the acidity prominent in the glass. Juicy and lifted, nice and friendly with lots of strawberry, raspberry and cranberry fruit. The tannins come in towards the finish giving some compaction with a crushed velvet aspect but this should soften and harmonise nicely over ageing. A real combination of the clay structure with the limestone freshness and grip - you don’t feel the extraction, just the terroir. More structure than recent vintages. Natural yeast for fermentation. 3.6pH."
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Jeb Dunnuck: A serious, inward Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, the 2025 Château Côte De Baleau is based on 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc that will spend 12 to 14 months in a mix of 25% new barrels, 25% once-used barrels, 25% twice-used barrels, and 25% tank. Its dense purple hue gives way to an intense, wild bouquet of ripe black cherries, blueberries, sappy flowers, violets, and graphite. On the palate, it has remarkable concentration and density while staying in the focused, pure, inward style of the vintage, playing at the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, with nicely balanced structure and tannins. I wouldn't be surprised to see this gain a touch of weight over the course of its élevage. It checks in at 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.6."
