Like its more renowned and usually dramatically superior sibling, Clos St.-Martin, the 2006 Cote de Baleau possesses austere tannins, an emaciated, lean style, and not enough concentration to support the wine’s structure and high tannins. This is a sure bet to become sinewy and dried out over the near-term. Given the high quality wines that have emerged from this estate over the last decade, this is a disappointment.

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