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Belair-Monange 2012

Tasting Notes

With some of the oldest vines in all of Bordeaux, especially one parcel from 1905, Belair Monange’s 2012 (14.5% alcohol) is a tribute to this great terroir that was poorly managed and exploited prior to the family of Jean-Pierre Moueix taking over. Now it is Christian Moueix and his son Edouard who manage the property and produce the wine. The 2012 is a beauty, with a deep ruby/purple color, complex notes of minerals, crushed rock, red and black fruits, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, great texture, long finish and true ability and character. It should age beautifully for 20 or more years and yet be drinkable another three or four. Production is small, as only 1,300 cases were produced.

95+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

Wonderful wine for the vintage with firm and silky tannins, savory and ripe fruit as well as hints of earth and mushrooms. Chalk and citrus undertones. Full body and a beautiful finish. Addition of Magadeline vineyards shows promise and expanded quality. Better after 2017.

94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2015

Powerful dark fruits, layered over with anis, fennel, saffron, white pepper, tobacco, smoked butterscotch. Impressive, a little more oak influence than you might find in this wine today perhaps, but the limestone fingerprint has closed around the fruit, and there is plenty to sink in to. A key year at this estate, marking the inclusion of the former vineyard of Château La Magdeleine.

95
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, March 2022

Deep cherry red. Lifted pure fruit, both red and black. Aromatic and fresh. Leafily scented on the palate, then just a little too smooth on the palate, tannins almost too gentle. But refined and harmonious, lacking a little in what I think of as the classic/classy austerity of Moueix. Still delicious and good depth of gentle fruit in the middle, and sustained. (JH)

17
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2013

Medium-deep ruby colour. A ripe red cherry and bramble fruit nose here. The palate is juicy with red fruits and a hint of black cherry, with super silky tannins and real vibrancy. This is light on its feet, with lots of floral character and a lifted finish with sweet spices. This is a very approachable style that has a wonderful smooth texture with a bright intensity. Perfect to drink now, but with potential to age.

95
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, June 2015

This is marked by a pleasantly firm chalky thread which frames
and carries the core of pure damson plum, bitter cherry and
red currant fruit. Light floral and alder notes hang in the background,
while the minerality stretches everything out on the finish.
Refined, restrained, long and should cellar well. Best from 2017
through 2027.

94
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider, January 2015

The investment that the Moueix family has made here since acquiring the château in
2008 is starting to pay off. This is very balanced and appealing, focusing on finesse
rather than raw power, but with good backbone and structure, filigree tannins and notes
of plum and Asian spices.
Drink: 2020-30

93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2013
Read more tasting notes...

Aromas of licorice, black currants, kirsch, lavender, truffles and crushed chalk are present in the stunningly intense and precise aromatics. Medium to full-bodied and dense ruby/purple-hued with rich, flowing fruit and glycerin, the wine cascades over the palate with no hard edges. A superstar of the vintage, it should drink well for 20-25 years.

Only 1,300 cases of this wine are made despite the incorporation of what used to be the St.-Emilion classified growth estate, Chateau Magdelaine (also owned by the Jean-Pierre Moueix family). Belair-Monange has come of age and since Christian Moueix's son, Edouard, has made it his residence and assumed the responsibility of making it one of the key superstars of the Right Bank. The vineyard, situated next to Ausone, has always had fabulous potential, but it was rarely realized under the previous administration. About 50% new oak is used for this cuvee, which is largely Merlot with some very old vine Cabernet Franc (planted in the early 1900s). Two-thirds of the vineyard sits on pure limestone and the other third is on clay over limestone.

93/95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013

The Belair-Monange has a very opulent bouquet with copious red berry fruit, incense, kirsch and a touch of orange blossom that is well-defined, quite modern in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry and here I prefer the style of this Saint Emilion. It is very silky in texture, very harmonious, tensile and full of nervosité towards the finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2013.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

A young wine with lots of mineral, blueberries and subtle spices on the palate. Solid core of fruit with very refined tannins and a bright, fresh acidity. Almost chalky character to it with citrus rind undertone. Racy.

92/93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2013
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.