Chateau Belair-Monange 2021

Chateau Belair-Monange 202196 100 James Suckling, JamesSuckling. com Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. Its difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded. Chateau Belair is now owned by the Moueix

96 / 100

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com

Lots of lush blue and black fruits followed by violets, fresh mint, roasted almonds and black ink with vanilla beans and mocha. Full-bodied, refreshing acidity with firm and racy tannins. Broad and energetic mid-palate with a succulent and layered finish. Superb concentration with depth and tension. It’s difficult not to drink now but your patience will be rewarded.

Chateau Belair 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 Angelus. Despite the brilliant terroir, the wine-making here had been mediocre for many years until the Moueix purchase. It is clear that Edouard Moueix is going to transform this Chateau into one of the stars of Saint Emilion. The vineyard is planted with 88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and the yield is miniscule as some of the vines are 100 years old and there are many gaps to be filled. Of the 23.5 hectares only 14 are currently in production. A second wine "Annonce" is now produced from the younger vines.