Appellations

Belair Monange 2015

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B

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Tasting Notes

A neighbour of Chateau Ausone, the Moueix family took over the Belair estate in 2008 and renamed it Belair-Monange, in memory of Christian Moueix's grandmother, incorporating into it also the vineyards of Chateau Magdelaine. Opulent with plush ripe red summer fruits and richness. This is quite gorgeous already but with good grip and tension underpinning the fruit. Measured and precise with a long silky finish, this is high-quality wine.

Score: 93 - 96 Albany Vintners, - Date: 27 April 2016

The 2015 Bélair-Monange is super-impressive. A striking bouquet endowed with the essence of graphite, smoke, licorice and tobacco is pure allure. Vertical on the palate, with soaring tannins and tons of structure, the 2015 possesses remarkable intensity to match its explosive, energetic personality. Even with all of its size, the 2015 remains incredibly nuanced and finessed throughout. Today, it is one of the most exciting wines of the year. The blend is 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 95 - 98 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2016

Features some seriously racy raspberry and plum coulis flavors, glistening with bitter orange and rooibos tea accents before picking up a long chalky spine on the finish. Tightly focused, revealing impressive perfume that should unfurl slowly.

Score: 95 - 98 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2016

Jean-Pierre Moueix's new baby. 23.5 ha (58 acres) of limestone on the plateau, and clay on limestone on the slopes. 88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc. Extremely dark. Very heady, very dramatic. So unlike the Bélair and Magdelaine of old! Small berries (tastes as though) and very concentrated. Thick and ambitious. Quite a play! Halfway between the J-P Moueix restraint and the more alcoholic style that has been modern St-Émilion. (17.5+ Points)

Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2037-2042 Date: 01 April 2016

The 2015 Belair-Monange is a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. It has a reticent bouquet at first, but it soon opens up with layers of blackberry, raspberry coulis, orange sorbet and floral aromas. This is beautifully defined and intellectual, a Saint Emilion with aromatic secrets that will only be revealed with bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with quite sturdy tannin. There is a firm backbone to this Belair-Monange, a serious Saint Emilion, complex and intellectual with precise red and black fruit, a touch of spice and a dash of white pepper on the finish. Dare I say, it represents the first Belair-Monange that ranks among JP Moueix's finest wines since the family acquired the property in 2011.

Score: 95 - 97 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2025-2055 Date: 01 April 2016

Incredible depth of fruit to this wine with ultra-powerful tannins that remain agile and soft. So much intensity. It’s layered with ripe fruit and caressing mouth feel. Neoclassical in style. Mostly merlot with a touch of cabernet franc.

Score: 98 - 99 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 April 2016