2014 Château Belair-Monange
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Bélair-Monange has an almost Left Bank style nose, indicating a proportion of Cabernet Franc in the blend. Clean, delineated cedar and pencil shavings scents emerge, yet there is a sense of control. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky texture, fresh with moderate depth. It is not amazingly complex. However, there is real finesse and class towards the finish, with a judicious touch of spice lingering on the aftertaste. Promising. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Evolved bricky colour. Seductively sweet senescent fruit. Refined texture, elegant, spicy and sweet-fruited on the finish but a bit firm still. (JH)
Roasted damson and greengage plum, touches of flaky pastry, orange peel and cloves, this is a gourmet style with toasted oak and melted tannins, luxurious with the beautiful saline balance of limestone. Ready to drink but will age further, enjoyable but less precision than you find in more recent Belair Monange vintages. 50% new oak. There was plenty of vineyard replanting going on at this time, as had been the case since the 2008 Moueix purchase, 23.5ha planted. Harvest September 27 to October 8.
The 2014 Bélair-Monange has an open, aniseed-tinged bouquet with plenty of ripe red berry fruit. There is something playful and joyful about these aromatics that demand to be noticed. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, firm tannin, quite grippy in the mouth but there are some lovely liquorice and spice notes that come through on the finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
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.