2023 Belair Monange
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Tasting Notes
Following seven years of work, Bélair-Monange completed their new winery in April 2023, a remarkable building designed by Herzog & De Meuron – and the 2023 vintage was the first entirely made in the new facility. With 45hl/ha produced, yields were considerably higher than in 2022 – and the result is no less qualitative. Deep red in colour, it offers a detailed nose with red fruit aromas that soar out of the glass. The palate is similarly polished with notes of cassis and black cherry that balance the limestone minerality and freshness perfectly. Blend: 100% Merlot
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The Grand Vin 2023 Château Belair-Monange checks in as mostly Merlot sourced from a mix of both the upper limestone plateau and hillside parcels. It's a richer, more powerful Saint-Emilion offering ample red and black fruits as well as some spicy herbs, tobacco, and chocolatey nuances, with ample background minerality. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has a plush, layered mouthfeel and ripe tannins. It's one of the more concentrated 2023s in the vintage.
The second vintage produced in the new cellars opens with flowers, crushed rocks, black cherries, cocoa, and spice. The wine is lifted, and fresh, with vitality, coupled with sweetness to the fruits, elegant tannins, and good energy on the palate. The mineral-driven finish serves up its display of crushed rocks, oceanic influences, mint, Indian spices, and bright red fruits effortlessly. There is length, and a raciness to the fruits in the finish that allows the wine to linger long after the wine has left the glass. The wine is produced from 100% Merlot.
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!
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About the producer
Château Bélair-Monange sits at the highest point of Saint-Émilion neighbouring Château Ausone. The steep slope vineyards offers some of the most beautiful vistas overlooking the historic town of Saint-Émilion.