| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
An absolutely magnificent wine from Christian Moueix and his son Edouard, this wine is right up there with their 2009 and may eclipse it in terms of its potential longevity. Dense purple, with a near-liqueur of crushed rocks and chalk intermixed with blueberry, black raspberry and cassis, this wine is very full-bodied for a Belair, with ethereal complexity and impressive texture and length. I believe this is the first vintage of the wine to be released in an engraved bottle, which seems to be the direction of all the top estates in the Jean-Pierre Moueix stable. More evidence of concerned Bordelais attempting to stop criminals intent on producing fraudulent bottles of these limited production wines. Forget this baby for 7-8 years and then look for it to evolve over three decades-plus.
Obviously, the Moueix family has been investing considerable money and effort into this famous vineyard, which was one of Bordeaux's most notable underachievers for many decades. It is certainly back now, with yields cut drastically, and the fruit harvested at a much riper stage, producing a wine that truly exploits this great terroir adjacent to Ausone.
Aromas of berries, chili and a hint of toasted oak. Full body, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Juicy and beautiful. Really builds on the palate. One of the best wines ever from here. Super quality. Try in 2018.
Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Belair Monange gives up cedar chest and vanilla pod notes over a core of baked plums, kirsch, blueberry pie and mocha plus wafts of tobacco and stewed tea. Full-bodied, the palate is still quite oaky with a good amount of black fruit preserves to back it up and a firm structure, finishing just a tad woody. Still very youthful, I imagine this oak will fall into line with another five years in bottle. 2025 - 2040
Arresting new red and white label. Mid crimson. Very rich, plump, sumptuous nose. This really is quite dramatic! Then firm on the palate - a very strong statement of intent to age. Relatively rich for a Moueix St-Émilion though much more restrained and classical than most of its peers elsewhere. Dry finish with good balance though clearly quite a lot of alcohol. The tannins are definitely present. This is much less dense than the more caricature style of this appellation.
Fresh and elegant in style but with an impressive density of fruit. Balanced and well defined. Follows in the footsteps of the excellent '09. As good, perhaps better. Drink 2018-2040.
This tiny estate was in the qualitative doldrums for decades, but it has been resurrected by Christian Moueix and his son, Edmond, over the last few years and the 2010 ranks alongside the brilliant 2009. Two-thirds of this vineyard is planted on the pure limestone hillsides and the rest is on the Plateau of St.-Emilion. One parcel, over 100 years of age, produces a minuscule 5-10 hectoliters per hectare. The 2010, primarily Merlot, boasts a dense purple color as well as raspberry fruit notes intermixed with a liqueur of powdered rocks. With abundant fruit, minerality, size, substance, personality and extraordinary individuality, this stunningly concentrated St.-Emilion is a tour de force in great winemaking. It will need 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for 25-30 years.
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. Twelve months ago I speculated whether this Saint Emilion cru would "calm down with bottle age" and it seems to be doing just that. It has a nicely focused bouquet with spicy red berry fruit, dried herbs and undergrowth, tightly coiled at first but unfurling nicely with sage and beetroot notes underneath. The palate is becoming more classic in style with a saline entry and well judged tannins; truffle tinged black fruit and a more composed finish that last year. At last, this is showing more how it performed in barrel back in 2011. Tasted January 2014.
The Belair-Monange (ex-Belair) has a very natural, well defined nose that does not go and grab you, but it relatively understated at first. Leaving my glass aside for 3-4 minutes, it really blossoms with scents of boysenberry, wild hedgerow, briary and a faint honey-ish tang. The palate is medium-bodied with a citric-thread of acidity that is has in common with Magdelaine. Very tight on the entry, fanning out towards the very elegant finish (one of the most refined in Saint Emilion.) This has great potential. Tasted April 2011.
