| 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 26 hectares, 20 are currently in production. A second wine "Annonce" is now produced from the younger vines. The recently completed new winery is absolutely stunning
The yield in 2023 was 45 hl/ha with the grapes harvested from September 11th to 29th. It is 100% Merlot and Edouard Moueix describes 2023 as a "classic vintage" here.
The 2023 Belair Monange is the first vintage from this newly created property that incorporates a balance of fruit from the plateau and fruit from the hillsides, as restructured and replanted parcels are returning to production. Wafting from the glass with attractive aromas of raspberries, violets and kirsch mingled with hints of incense, licorice and rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a deep and textural core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins, retaining a cool, ethereal profile that foregrounds its limestone origins.
The 2023 Bélair-Monange was picked September 11 to 29 at around 45hL/ha. It has a very intense, very well-defined bouquet: black cherries, mulberry and light iodine mixed with estuarine scents—scintillas of kelp and oyster shell in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very fresh and animated. Focused and mineral-driven, the 2023 has one of the most refined finishes that you'll find on the Right Bank this year. This is a very strong follow-up to the 2022 and it may even surpass it, though this is cut from a very different cloth insofar that it is unapologetically more classic in style.
Shiny ruby colour in the glass. Luscious red fruits mingle with notes of creamy cortado-like coffee tones on the nose - this is a succulent wine that still has the notes of iron filings to give it a sense of place. The palate is silky and rounded, beautifully polished with persistent, fine-grain tannins. A generous, intense wine, this manages to find impressive ripeness and power while retaining savoury finesse. Very long finish. Impressive.
There’s finesse and beauty to this, with blackberry, dark-chocolate, bark, mushroom and forest-floor character. But it’s all class. Caresses your palate. Medium- to full-bodied and very long. Persistent and sophisticated. This shows the true character of the diverse vineyards of this estate. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.
The 2023 Belair-Monange, 100% Merlot, is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a few moments of patient swirling to allow delicate notes of warm black cherries, plum preserves, and raspberry coulis to emerge, followed by alluring hints of iris, cinnamon stick, and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with tightly wound red and black berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. This is breathtakingly gorgeous!
Makes you sit up and pay attention from the first moment, full of depth and power but delivered with a caress. The slate and pumice stone texture of a vineyard on the limestone plateau is in full effect, with a saline juiciness to the bilberry and black cherry fruit, shot through with white truffle and mandarin peel. Has zip and crunch, and a ton of pleasure. 50% new oak, 55% of overall production. First vintage made with the stunning new cellars designed by Herzog and de Meuron fully open and functional, although 2nd one vinified in them.
The 2023 Bélair-Monange is terrific. I find it much more reserved than in most recent years, in a very good way. Bright acids and beams of tannin shape this super-classic Saint-Émilion. It’s a style I like very much. Hints of dark-toned fruit, leather, dried herbs and spice build into the potent, layered finish. This is impeccably done. It will be interesting to see what Edouard Moueix coaxes from Bélair-Monange now that he has a brand-new cellar. Will the wines be extroverted, as they were in the early going, or more reserved, like the 2023? 2032-2063
100% Merlot. 45 hl/ha. 55% of the production. Cask sample.
Pure and lifted, the fruit at a perfect pitch of ripeness. Refined texture, the tannins velvety and super-fine. Reasonably dense and persistent. Finishes with a chalky freshness. (JL)
Drink 2030 – 2048
