Belair Monange 2009

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé B

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Tasting Notes

This extraordinary terroir, now exploited by Edouard Moueix, the son of Christian, seems to be coming to life in a dramatic fashion. Never a hedonistic wine, but very intellectual, the 2009 suggests a liqueur of crushed rocks intermixed with black currants and black cherries. Still somewhat closed, medium to full-bodied, and impressive rather than seductive, this is a structured wine that needs to be forgotten for at least a decade, and then drunk over the following 30+ years. If readers are looking for the quintessential example of a terroir-dominated wine, this is Lesson 101 in terroir. (94+ points)

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2052 01 March 2012

Christian Moueix and his son, Edouard, must be extraordinarily proud of what they have achieved in just a few years after taking over this property (previously known as Belair) that had been so mismanaged and underexploited by its previous owners. Yields were cut to 13 hectoliters per hectare in 2009, and this great terroir has finally revealed its true potential. Tasting like a liqueur of crushed rocks intermixed with raspberry jam and kirsch, the full-bodied, elegant 2009 is a quintessential example of a true terroir wine. Forget it for 5-7 years and drink it over the following three decades. (Tasted once.) 94-96+ points

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2010

Love the soft and velvety tannin with the milk chocolate and fruit character. Full and silky. Long and delicious. So fine. Best wine from this estate in decades. Maybe ever. Best after 2017.

Score: 94

James Suckling, - Maturity: 2017+ 15 February 2012

Delivers intense blueberry and blackberry, with hints of dark chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, showing firm, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Precise fruit. Racy, ripe tannins. Formerly Belair, and much better quality.

Score: 91 - 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 30 March 2010

Lively deep ruby-purple. Rather inexpressive nose hints at a calcaire purity to its delicate aromas of floral red berries and minerals. Rich and chewy if a bit backward and sullen today, with pure flavors of blackberry, minerals and licorice. Dry, classic and very light on its feet, this should gain in complexity with elevage Finishes with a chalky calcaire quality and hints of spicy red fruits. This is an archetypical example of a mineral-driven, leaner style of wine that can get overlooked in blind tastings.

Score: 90 - 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2010

Light to mid crimson. Ripe cherries and minerals on the nose. Very fresh and delicate. A really light hand on the tiller here. Enough substance but very far from a fruit bomb. Interesting chalky texture on the finish.

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2030 08 April 2010