Critic Notes
This is very complex with super fine, silky tannins that just take off. Full bodied with berry, chocolate and walnut flavors. Mushrooms and cedar, too.
Score: 95-96 / 100James Suckling
With pungent aromas of crushed rock and stone in the forefront, the nose quickly moves to the floral side before the red berries, smoke and licorice kick in. Concentrated, with velvet textured, salty tannins and waves of sweet, ripe, fresh berries, the finish really sticks with you.
Score: 94-96 / 100Jeff Leve
Bellefont-Belcier is now fully owned by Peter Kwok, after a number of years with rotating chairs of owners and co-owners. Plenty of layers going on here, alongside silky tannins. Smooth and appealing as in 2018 but with a more serious slant, and some excellent depth of fruit and intent. Really like this wine, feels like it is stepping into a more recognisable style - as it should in its location next to Pavie. 40% new oak, 3.7pH.
Score: 94 / 100DecanterDrinking Window: 2025-2040
The 2019 Bellefont-Belcier is a promising wine. The bruising tannins that were once found in these wines appear, thankfully, to be rather tamed in the 2019. At the same time, there is plenty of the virile power that makes this Saint-Émilion so distinctive. Black fruit, graphite, spice, leather and incense all build into the hulking finish.
Score: 92-94 / 100Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Composed of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Bellefont Belcier came in at nearly 14% alcohol (13.95%) and a pH of 3.7, with yields this year at 41 hectoliters per hectare. It is being aged in French oak barrels, 40% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it offers intense scents of stewed plums, blackberry preserves and boysenberries with hints of mocha, menthol, pencil lead and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of spice-laced black fruits, with a chewy texture and lively backbone, finishing on a lingering minty note.
Score: 90-92 / 100Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Great focused, brooding nose – dark savoury spice mixes with brighter ginger and clove, dark chocolate, earthy minerality. Supple texture from fully resolved tannins with fresh delineated fruit (fresh blackberry), The tannins create freshness and direction on the palate. It’s a subtle, really well-constructed framework. I love the restraint of this wine. The limestone (even pencil-lead/ graphite) minerality comes through on the mouthwatering finish. Excellent.
Score: FINE+RARE Tasting Note
