Chateau Cote de Baleau | Saint-Emilion | Per Dozen OWC 2006

PV Tasting Notes

This comes from the Reiffers family who are responsible for two other up and coming St Emilion’s, this is another outstanding wine, deep purple coloured with sweet cherry, plum, currant and subtle wood aromas. Medium to full body, with ripe but muscular tannin, the overall impression is that this will need time to come fully together, but it is an impeccable wine. Tasted Mar 2007, drink 2012-2025

90 points James Suckling - Wine Spectator Feb 2009
A dense, rich young red, with plum and wet earth character and chewy tannins. Big and aggressive now, but should mellow. Best after 2012. –JS

This beautiful Cabernet blend is best with Rack or Saddle of Lamb, will also suit very well Roast Leg of Lamb, Shoulder or Fillet of Beef, Sautéed calf’s liver, Partridge or Grouse, fried sweetbreads or Kidneys with a rich sauce e.g. béarnaise, will also suit roast ribs of Beef or grilled Rump.

Chateau Cote de Baleau or as we call it “Cote de Value” is a great little eight hectare estate using modern wine making techniques on good Limestone terroir, to produce a mere 3000 cases each year. The vines are made up of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Although easy on the palate early, these can mature beautifully after 5-8 years in bottle. This small property is managed by Sophie Fourcade, who also runs Les Grand Murailles and Clos St Martin all to be found in Saint Emilion.