France

Chateau Balestard La Tonnelle

Chateau Balestard La Tonnelle Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Luscious texture, more so than many in the vintage, and the colour is deep ruby, opening to show sweet damson and red cherry fruit, sandalwood, spiced cumin and charred cedar oak, with chalky tannins. High acidity, but well balanced and carefully constructed, on the richer side of the year and well handled. 3.46 pH.50% new oak. Harvest: 30 September to 7 October. 39 hl/ha yield. 

Inside Bordeaux

The 2023 Balestard La Tonnelle has a deep garnet-purple color. It features notes of plum preserves and Christmas cake, followed by hints of cedar, sassafras, and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers oak-laced black fruit flavors, with a firm, chewy texture and a lifted finish.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Balestard La Tonnelle features flamboyant notes of stewed black cherries, prunes, and raisin cake, followed by hints of hoisin and cedar chest. The full-bodied palate has a zippy line of freshness and velvety tannins to frame the big, rich, concentrated black and blue fruit preserves flavors, finishing long and spicy.

The 2021 Balestard La Tonnelle has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It rocks up with up-front scents of juicy plums and kirsch, followed by hints of wild sage and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate is refreshing and chewy, with just enough fruit and a lifted finish.

Tar and smoke on the opening notes suggest oak remains dominant and a little intrusive even after ageing. This is well structured, with a wall of firm tannis, cassis and blueberry fruit with streaks of grilled dark chocolate. 36 hl/ha yield, from 8.5ha on the clay-limestone plateau. Malolactic fermentation in new oak barrels.

Well balanced and carefully judged, with hidden power that is still subdued but pulsing. Smoky grilled earth and tobacco notes on the opening beats, tight tannins and inky black fruits - pure cassis and bilberry notes, along with liquorice root and chocolate. Dramatic but impressive.

2024	No priceNot available	Excellent
2023	No priceNot available	Excellent
2022	No priceNot available	Excellent
2021	No priceNot available	Excellent
2020	No priceNot available	Excellent

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Chateau Balestard La Tonnelle
Vintages	2002
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bottle	75 cl

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Sugar	g/l

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