Vinous - Neal Martin (97)

The 2019 Bélair-Monange shows wonderful delineation and focus on the nose, which presents a cornucopia of red fruit, crushed stone, wilted rose petal and light black truffle aromas. It seems to gain complexity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, fine delineation and a velvety texture. This builds toward a lavish finish, with dark chocolate and cocoa notes lingering on the aftertaste. It will need several years in bottle but should repay those with the wherewithal to cellar.

Decanter (99)

The gunsmoke character is immediately evident on the nose, as is richly expressed damson and raspberry fruit. This is pared back and held back right now, elegant, showing a seductive edge without trying too hard. The texture is softly-brushed velvet, these tannins are front and centre but so fine and so precise that they don't get in the way of the fruit. Salinity from the limestone is evident on the finish, bringing a moreish juiciness and you can scrape your tongue against the pumice stone texture. Austere in all the right ways, with just the most incredible depth and layers. I love it. Harvest September 15 to 23. 98-100.

James Suckling (91-92)

Very structured for here with chewy tannins and a blackberry and dark chocolate character. Full and velvety.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2015 Belgrave has an attractive blackberry, raspberry and pressed iris bouquet that displays commendable intensity. The palate is quite grippy with slightly hard tannins but there is plenty of fruit with hints of autumn leaves and fennel toward the slightly bitter finish. Enjoy this over the next decade. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88)

The 2017 Belgrave comes across as wild and gamy. Iron, graphite, incense, tobacco and inky dark fruit give the 2017 a distinctly feral personality. That impression is further enhanced by big, rustic tannins. I liked this a bit more from barrel.

Wine Advocate (89-91)

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Wine Advocate (89-91)

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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (88-90)

The 2020 Belgrave is a promising Haut-Médoc. Graphite, scorched earth, cloves, licorice and lavender create a deep, penetrating bouquet. There is good depth and energy here, even if the 2020 remains just a bit lean. All the Belgrave needs is a bit more midpalate juiciness. Tasted two times.

Unveiling the prestigious Belle Brise 2017, an opulent red wine showcasing the exceptional terroir of Pomerol, Bordeaux. Crafted by the acclaimed winemaker Pierre Taix, this exquisite offering pays tribute to precision and harmony. Characterised by its rich ruby colour, Belle Brise 2017 elegantly reveals an expressive bouquet of ripened black fruits, floral notes, and enticing spices.

The hand-picked Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes are vinified in the traditional manner, expertly aged in French oak barrels, harmoniously resulting in a complexity of smooth tannins and lush velvety texture. Belle Brise 2017 enchants with an enduring finish that echoes the wine's profound depth and character. A truly sublime companion to richest gourmet delights.

In each bottle of Belle Brise 2017, you will find an embodiment of Pierre Taix's rigorous approach to winemaking, underpinning the estate's consistent philosophy of quality and elegance. An unmissable addition to every discerning wine connoisseur's collection.

Vibrantly expressing terroir-driven nuances, the Belle Brise 2018 bestows an exquisite drinking experience. From the extraordinary Pauillac region of Bordeaux, France, this sophisticated wine is cultivated by the esteemed Château Belle-Brise, famed for their meticulous, organic grape-growing traditions. Like every bottle from the estate, Belle Brise 2018 is exclusively hand-harvested, preserving grapes' integrity.

The blend manifests a remarkable combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, aged exquisitely in specially sourced oak barrels, granting an unrivalled complexity of flavour. Vive la Belle Brise!

This opulent vintage presents notes of ripe blackcurrants, luscious plums, and subtle hints of violet, underlined by a nuanced, cedarwood finish. The Belle Brise 2018 displays sublime structure, commanding depth of flavour, and an elegantly smooth finish.

A true gem within the world of fine wines, Belle Brise 2018 is a robust, well-balanced revelation, promising a sublime addition to any discerning wine cellar.

Relish the charm of French winemaking with the Belle Brise 2019. Birthed in the esteemed vineyards of Bordeaux, this fine wine epitomises meticulous craftsmanship. Masterfully curated by premier winemakers, the Belle Brise 2019 gleams with a radiant ruby hue, signifying its robust constitution. Its harmonious blend of earthy aromas and fruity undertones, heightened by the subtle oak influence, symbolises the synthesis of tradition and innovation that defines Belle Brise's philosophy. The wine is aged in French oak, reflecting their enduring commitment to authenticity.

A taste of Belle Brise 2019 is an invitation to savour the distinctive terroir of Bordeaux - a poetic union of rich clay soils tempered by the region's gentle maritime climate. This fine wine offers complexity, depth with a velvety finish, embodying Belle Brise's artistry and the unerring dedication of its winemakers. Whether enjoyed on its own or complementing exquisite cuisine, Belle Brise 2019 encapsulates the quintessence of fine winemaking from the heart of Bordeaux.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)

(a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 20% petit verdot): Bright, medium red-ruby. Reduced aromas of black fruits, licorice, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf. Supple on entry, then a bit herbal and lean in the middle but with good freshness to the flavors of cassis, redcurrant and cedar. A juicy wine with modest flesh.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)

Good deep red-ruby. Currant, smoke and roast coffee on the expressive nose. Suave and sweet, with a fine-grained texture and enticing inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of redcurrant and tobacco. Finishes with fine tannins and very good length.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

Powerful, dense and explosive, with notable thrust to the red cherry, plum, leather and licorice flavors, the dramatic, full-throttle 2015 Bellefont-Belcier is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Dark red cherry, mocha, new leather and spice build into the racy, voluptuous finish. The tannins need time to soften, but all the elements are in the right place. In a word: terrific.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2018 Château Bellefont-Belcier always showed brilliantly, with a full-bodied, sexy style that’s very much in the vintage. Coming from a 12.5-hectare vineyard just beside Larcis Ducasse (this is an incredible terroir) and a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, aging in 40% new French oak, its deep purple color is followed by a classic bouquet of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, earth, and spice box. Deep, rich, and textured, with sweet tannins, it’s another rock star effort this vintage that’s going to benefit from just short-term cellaring and keep for two decades or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2018 Château Bellefont-Belcier always showed brilliantly, with a full-bodied, sexy style that’s very much in the vintage. Coming from a 12.5-hectare vineyard just beside Larcis Ducasse (this is an incredible terroir) and a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, aging in 40% new French oak, its deep purple color is followed by a classic bouquet of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, earth, and spice box. Deep, rich, and textured, with sweet tannins, it’s another rock star effort this vintage that’s going to benefit from just short-term cellaring and keep for two decades or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

An estate that deserves more recognition in the market today, the 2019 Château Bellefont-Belcier comes from a fabulous terroir not far from Larcis Ducasse and Château Pavie. Gorgeous cassis and black raspberry fruits give way to a full-bodied, incredibly elegant 2019 with loads of floral notes, the classic minerality of this terroir, ripe tannins, and blockbuster of a finish. The elegance and purity of this wine paired with its richness and depth are something.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

An estate that deserves more recognition in the market today, the 2019 Château Bellefont-Belcier comes from a fabulous terroir not far from Larcis Ducasse and Château Pavie. Gorgeous cassis and black raspberry fruits give way to a full-bodied, incredibly elegant 2019 with loads of floral notes, the classic minerality of this terroir, ripe tannins, and blockbuster of a finish. The elegance and purity of this wine paired with its richness and depth are something.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

The finest wine I've tasted from this estate, the 2020 Château Bellefont-Belcier is an incredibly gorgeous blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby/purple-hued, it offers a great nose of cassis, ripe black cherries, camphor, dried flowers, cedar, and forest floor. Bringing gorgeous richness, it nevertheless stays flawlessly balanced, with ultra-fine tannins and a great finish. The purity of fruit here is just about off the charts. While it already offers pleasure, it's going to benefit from short-term cellaring and have 20-25 years of prime drinking. This estate uses a five-day cold soak and fermentation, all in concrete, spanning 25 days. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel (four months on lees), and the wine spends 18 months in 30% new French oak, with the balance in once- and twice-used barrels. Yields in 2020 were also reasonable at 34 hectoliters per hectare.

James Suckling (96-97)

This well-defined and sophisticated wine shows a gorgeous center-palate of near perfectly ripe fruit. Lots of dark berries and minerals with some pine, while the texture is full and compact with layers of well-integrated, fine tannins. The finish is seamless. Just a hint of salt at the end of the pretty fruit. 72% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

James Suckling (96-97)

This well-defined and sophisticated wine shows a gorgeous center-palate of near perfectly ripe fruit. Lots of dark berries and minerals with some pine, while the texture is full and compact with layers of well-integrated, fine tannins. The finish is seamless. Just a hint of salt at the end of the pretty fruit. 72% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

Experience the premium vintage of Bellegrave 2017, meticulously crafted in the prestigious Pomerol region of Bordeaux, France. This red blend embodies the elegant savoir-faire of artisanal winemaking, marrying Merlot and Cabernet Franc in delightful harmony. Hailing from ancient soils with integrated organic farming methods, Bellegrave 2017, is not just a product of land, but the testimony to the Bellegrave winemakers' dedication and skilled expertise.

Careful harvest and traditional vinification capture the distinct terroir, releasing sumptuous aromas of ripe black fruits, truffle, and delicate spices, while exhibiting richness and complexity in every sip. Matured for 15-18 months in discrete oaken embrace, Bellegrave 2017, reaches perfect refinement while preserving the inherent fruit dominance.

Limited bottles of Bellegrave 2017 reflect the essence of exceptional winemaking, delightful in its youth yet poised to age gracefully, ensuring an enduring wine experience for the discerning palate. Revel in the nuance and luxury of Bellegrave 2017 – a true connoisseur's choice.

James Suckling (92-93)

A solid young Pomerol with black-olive and blueberry aromas and flavors. Full and flavorful.

James Suckling (92)

Lots of coffee and chocolate, with plum and dried cherries. Full-bodied with round yet fine tannins, and a fruity finish. Starting to come around, but will be better after 2013. 14+23+22+33. $470HK

Wine Advocate (94)

The first bottle of 2005 Bellevue that I tasted had a maderized, oxidized nose that was off-putting. This note is from a second bottle. This second bottle showed absolutely no trace of oxidation, but did offer plenty of crushed, chalky minerality, notes of plum, blueberry, black raspberry and cherry fruit, a dense purple color, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and fabulous structure, purity and length. It should drink well for at least another 20+ years.

Wine Advocate (89)

This sensational sleeper of the vintage is far better than the more famous "Bellevue" from St.-Emilion that proved so disappointing in 2006. This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and a whopping 20% Petit Verdot is a lovely, round, pure, deep ruby/purple-colored effort offering sweet scents of berry fruit, licorice, charcoal, and lead pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, textured, broad, and lush, it could be thought of as a mini-La Lagune. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. Good value.

James Suckling (93)

A beautiful core of ripe fruits and berries, with currants and spices. Full and silky. Very polished.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

I've always enjoyed this wine (I recently finished a case of the 2003, which needs to be drunk up), and the 2019 Château Bellevue showed beautifully. Dense purple-hued with lots of cassis, gravelly earth, violets, and spicy oak, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a soft, opulent mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's a beautiful wine in the making and well worth a case purchase.

Wine Advocate (94+)

Even in a vintage such as 2003 there are wines that are youthful, unevolved and still in need of bottle age. The 2003 Bellevue Mondotte is one of those wines. From a tiny (5 acres) estate owned by Gerard Perse, this blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits youthful aromas of blue and black fruits, chalk dust, lead pencil shavings and Christmas fruitcake. Full, ripe and moderately tannic, it requires another 3-5 years of bottle age and could turn out to be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage, lasting another 25-30 years.