Professionelle Bewertungen
Robert Parker (94)
The 2022 Belair Monange opens in the glass with aromas of jammy blackberries, licorice, smoked meats and mocha. Full-bodied, layered and dense, with chalky tannins and a carnal finish, the estate's limestone soils translate into the liveliest wine in the Mouiex portfolio this year, despite its super-ripe profile.
James Suckling (99)
This has an opulence that’s reined in by the crushed-stone and fine-tannin character. It's full-bodied with tight and polished tannins that have energy and precision. Very linear and structured. This comes from great limestone soils that give this wine a freshness and focus. Salty and chalky at the end.
Jancis Robinson (17.50)
98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Slightly timid on the nose but deep, fresh and complex. Lovely texture, the tannins ripe and rounded. Plenty of energy and drive, the finish long and persistent with a chalky-terroir note. Looks to have the reserve for ageing. (JL)
Vinous (97)
The 2022 Bélair-Monange actually has a soupçon of Pomerol on the nose, perhaps from the deft touch of black truffle that combines beautifully with the hints of black fruit, blood orange and allspice. This is outstanding in terms of delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. It’s a tad more peppery than the Trotanoy, yet it shares the same sense of symmetry and length. Precise and detailed, this is a wonderful, life-affirming Belair-Monange that’s not a million miles away stylistically from Beauséjour. This is a Saint-Émilion that will age gracefully in bottle.
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The 2022 Château Belair-Monange comes from a mix of both the upper plateau and the hillsides just outside of Saint-Emilion, with the blend being 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. It has a truly sensational perfume of black raspberries, mulled cherries, crushed stone, and graphite that gains intensity and nuances as it sits in the glass. This gives way to a full-bodied Saint-Emilion with a deep, layered texture, velvety tannins, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. I'd easily put this up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, and to my mind, it’s even better than the Château’s 2012, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020. While it's beautiful even today, I have no doubt this will evolve gracefully for 30 years if well stored.
Falstaff (100)
Deep dark ruby in colour with a deep core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, an immensely complex bouquet of delicate truffle, leather, fine dark forest berries, some cherry, liquorice, and nuances of tobacco. The tight-knit, juicy palate has an impressive verticality, with fine fruit, ripe, perfectly mature supporting tannins, and enormous length. Has great potential for ageing, fully exploiting its great terroir this year, this is an outstanding wine with a saline finish that lasts for minutes.
