Classification | Cru Classe |
Type | Red |
Brand | Chateau Belair-Monange |
Vintage | 2009 |
Country | France |
Region | Bordeaux, St. Emilion |
Grape | Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Bordeaux Blend |
Volume | 0,75 |
Condition | From Original Wooden Case |
Label | Perfect |
Drinkable | 2018-2040 |
Stock | 0 |
This extraordinary terroir, now exploited by Edouard Moueix, the son of Christian, seems to be coming to life in a dramatic fashion. Never a hedonistic wine, but very intellectual, the 2009 suggests a liqueur of crushed rocks intermixed with black currants and black cherries. Still somewhat closed, medium to full-bodied, and impressive rather than seductive, this is a structured wine that needs to be forgotten for at least a decade, and then drunk over the following 30+ years. If readers are looking for the quintessential example of a terroir-dominated wine, this is Lesson 101 in terroir.
Offers lovely interplay between cherry and raspberry fruit, with darker plum and graphite notes and a perfumy Lapsang souchong tea edge. Very racy and detailed, with a long, mouthwatering, mineral-driven finish that really stretches out as it airs.
Rene Gabriel rates this wine 18/20 points.