| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Château Belair Monange is now owned by the Moueix family, and has had a new name since the 2008 vintage. This is one of the best vineyards in Saint Emilion, perched at the top of the slope right next to Ausone, near Canon and above Angélus. Despite the brilliant terroir, the wine-making was mediocre for many years until the Moueix purchase. It is clear that Edouard Moueix is transforming this château into one of the stars of Saint Emilion. The vineyard is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Work is ongoing to improve the yield of vines up to 100 years old, in tandem with filling in gaps in the vineyard. Of the 23.5 hectares only 16 are currently in production. A second wine "Annonce" is now produced from the younger vines.
The yield in 2022 was 36 hl/ha with the grapes harvested from September 8th to 20th. It is made up of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Edouard descibes 2022 as a "magnificent vintage" at Belair Monange
Underlines just how exciting this estate has become in recent years. So much flavour, juice and texture, layers of pleasure, campfire, gunsmoke, steel, raspberry, umami texture with contrast between the creamy ripe fruit coupled with pumice and crushed stones, juicy lift, a ton of pleasure finessed and powerful, exceptional quality and a signal that Bélair-Monanage has really come into its own, Harvest September 8 to 20, Moueix family.
This has an opulence that’s reined in by the crushed-stone and fine-tannin character. It's full-bodied with tight and polished tannins that have energy and precision. Very linear and structured. This comes from great limestone soils that give this wine a freshness and focus. Salty and chalky at the end. Drink after 2030.
The 2022 Belair Monange opens in the glass with aromas of jammy blackberries, licorice, smoked meats and mocha. Full-bodied, layered and dense, with chalky tannins and a carnal finish, the estate's limestone soils translate into the liveliest wine in the Mouiex portfolio this year, despite its super-ripe profile. 2025 - 2042
Enticing deep ruby in colour, this has sweet, creamy red and black fruits on the nose. There is a fleshy, warming opulence to the fruit but it is tightly wound by fine-grained tannins. Powerful and coiled, the flesh of the Merlot is met by rich structure. An impressive wine that will need a little time in the bottle to show its true potential.
Composed of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Belair-Monange has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs considerable swirling to unlock scents of blackberry preserves, mulberries, and plum pudding, followed by suggestions of chocolate box, cinnamon toast, Indian spices, and candied violets with a hint of tilled soil. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated, and truly impactful, the palate is beautifully layered and so, so plush, finishing very long and opulent. Pure decadence.
98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Slightly timid on the nose but deep, fresh and complex. Lovely texture, the tannins ripe and rounded. Plenty of energy and drive, the finish long and persistent with a chalky-terroir note. Looks to have the reserve for ageing. (JL)
Drink 2030– 2048
Beautiful quality here, all about measured delivery of the character of the vintage, with a slab of limestone minerality that sits squarely in the mid palate, emphasising the juicy pomegranate, orange rind, blackberry and raspberry fruits that slowly inch around, Will take its time to fully reveal, this is a really slow build and a vintage that needs time from this kind of terroir, but it's got all it need to go the distance. 35hl/h yield. 26ha, harvest September 8 to 20, Edouard Moueix owner and director. Potential 100.
Aromas of blackberries, cherry preserve, black tea and licorice introduce the 2022 Belair Monange, a full-bodied, deep and powerful wine with a layered, somewhat liqueured core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, expansive and slightly heady finish. Perhaps because the vines are younger, this is the cuvée in the Mouiex portfolio that shows the ripeness of the vintage the most this year.
Loads of mocha, red fruits and hazenut. Nuts too. Wild strawberries and violets. Full-bodied and juicy with dusty and fine tannins that spread across the palate. Lovely soft texture. Elegant and long at the end. Rich and juicy at the end. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.
