2011, Château Belair-Monange, SAINT-ÉMILION, 1er Grand Cru ClasséBordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc. This was the last vintage that Belair Monange and Magdelaine were separate properties, and ironically this wine was made in the Magdelaine cellars because work was ongoing at Belair. This is a gorgeous wine with clear minerality and energy a lyricism that shows the benefits of limestone in a dry year like 2011. The tannins are a little more angular than the 2010 but there's so much to enjoy in the softer

very harmonious yet there is an enormous backbone here that (again) is reminiscent of Mouton

well delivered

’ the en and le assembled just before bottling

I thought the 2020 was a bit shy

I cannot remember a Gruaud at this nascent stage that exhibits this level of energy and tension deriving from the Cabernet Sauvignon extracted at the beginning of vinification

It shows promise and will gain in harmony over ageing

It shows quite impressive weight

blueberry and fresh fig fruits

60% new oak

The medium to full-bodied palate is very tightly knit with vibrant black and blue fruit layers and red berry sparks

95+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown

more complexity than the aromatics suggest at the moment