2022

Château Bellefont-Belcier

Saint-Emilion AOP Grand Cru Classé

Blackberry, iron, hazelnut, crushed stone, hints of salt and spice. Medium to full body. Fresh and vivid. Very sophisticated and classy. The tannins are silky and so fine, but then it opens up at the end of the palate. James Suckling 97-98 (jamessuckling.com)

This estate's renaissance continues, and the 2022 Bellefont Belcier is both the finest and most elegant wine that the team has produced today. Mingling aromas of plums and sweet berries with notions of rose petals and bay leaf, it's medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a suave, seamless profile. Readers will remember that this derives from a beautifully situated hillside vineyard, sandwiched between Larcis Ducasse and Tertre Roteboeuf on either side, with holdings belonging to Pavie and Troplong Mondot on the plateau above. The 2022 is a blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. William Kelley 93-95 (robertparker.com)

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Zarte Edelholznuancen, dunkle Kirschen, reife Zwetschken, ein Hauch von Nugat. Straff, saftig, Herzkirschen, feine Extraktsüße, feine Säurestruktur, seidig und elegant, bleibt gut haften, mineralischer Nachhall zeigt Länge, zartes Nugat im Abgang, ein facettenreicher Speisenbegleiter mit sicherem Reifepotenzial. falstaff 95 (falstaff.com)

Mid crimson. Rich dried-fruit nose. Real energy here. Quite sappy palate without enormous intensity but great balance and interest. Quite long. 14.5%Jancis Robinson 16,5 (jancisrobinson.com)