2024, Château Belair-Monange, SAINT-ÉMILION, 1er Grand Cru Classé

Last year EP $198.00-

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc.

This is one of the best vineyards in Saint Emilion and in the 1850s was rated as St Emilion's leading property. It is perched at the top of the slope right next to Ausone, near Canon and above Angélus. The new winery completed in 2023 is absolutely stunning. 2024 is 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.

Notes of sweet cherries, berries, crushed mint and potpourri introduce the 2024 Belair Monange, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and suave wine that's pure, precise and harmonious, with lively acids and creditable persistence on the finish.
91-93 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

Limestone grip, terroir definitely playing its part, succulent, and well balanced, has precision, fragrant peony and lilac, density through the palate with a wave of juice on the finish. Think cherry pit, tobacco leaf, pumice stone. 50% new oak. No plans to have a 2nd wine (Annonce de Belair) in the vintage.
94 Jane Anson.

Mid ruby colour in the glass. The nose this year has a powerful fragrance, with ripe red cherries, wild strawberries, and a hint of garrigue - there is a precise and ethereal quality to the aromatics that make this enticing. This follows on the palate, which is silky, quite chalky, lined with a brisk acid profile and full of high tone fruit. The palate has ample middle for the vintage, with juicy fruit building to the finish in tandem with well judged wood spice. Saline spices, plum and fine tannins form the finish. An accomplished effort in 2024.
93-95 Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners.