Jeb Dunnuck (95)

Rivaling the 2015, if not even better (time will tell), the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Louis Belle is a rock star of a Crozes-Hermitage, revealing a dense purple color as well as fabulous crème de cassis and blackberry fruits interwoven with peppered beef, violets, new leather, and flowers. The real deal, it's concentrated and full-bodied, with wonderful tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. It has a pure, polished, almost modern edge, yet it brings plenty of background meaty, bloody, black olive notes with time in the glass and is pure Crozes-Hermitage gold. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

A powerful, full-bodied, straight-up awesome wine, the 2018 Hermitage from Domaine Belle comes from the more limestone soils of the Les Murets lieu-dit and spent more than two years in barrel. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a smorgasbord-like array of kirsch, jammy blackberries, acacia flowers, violets, ground pepper, and cured meats. With full-bodied richness, a rich, opulent, incredibly sexy texture, sweet tannins, and a great finish, we're in blockbuster territory, and along with the 2017, it's the finest Hermitage I've tasted from this domaine. It has another 15-20 years (probably longer) of prime drinking.

Imbued with the tradition and sophistication of Bordeaux winemaking, Belle-Brise 2007 is the quintessence of an expertly crafted blend. This exquisite claret hails from the appellation of Pomerol, crafted by esteemed vineyard Château Belle-Brise. Renowned for producing limited quantities of high-quality wines, the Château employs traditional viticulture techniques to preserve the distinct terroir.

The Belle-Brise 2007 is a harmonious blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, harvested from vines averaging 35 years of age. It has undergone oak barrel maturation, lending a subtle woodiness, intricately balanced with notes of ripe black fruit, truffle and leather. On the palate, it unfurls layers of complexity, with structured tannins and appreciable finesse.

To be enjoyed in the company of discerning enthusiasts, a bottle of Belle-Brise 2007 is the ultimate testament to the elegance and refinement of Pomerol wines.

Savour the exquisite finesse of Belle Brise 2016, a superior expression of intense ripeness and vibrant acidity. This singular Merlot blend, from the prestigious vineyards of Pomerol, Bordeaux, exhibits the classic character of the renowned terroir. Crafted by esteemed vintner Pierre Taix, there’s marked dedication to traditional organic viticulture, enhancing the purity of fruit expression. Belle Brise 2016 is aged in premium French oak barrels, shaping complex layers of dark fruit, accented with hints of spice and smoke.

This stellar vintage showcases excellent ageing potential, bound to delight discerning oenophiles. Captivating, structured and perfectly balanced, Belle Brise 2016 gracefully epitomises the art of winemaking. Its expert rating on globally recognised wine publications reflects the dignified allure of this extraordinary offering. Immerse yourself in the world of fine wines with Belle Brise 2016, an illustrated testament of Bordeaux's mighty vintages.

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.

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.

Wine Advocate (89-91+)

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Jeb Dunnuck (92)

Rock star stuff readers should snatch up, the deep ruby/purple-hued 2019 Château Belle-Vue gives up a gorgeous bouquet of ripe currants, black cherries, tobacco, and cedar pencil. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, supple, elegant Haut-Médoc with velvety tannins, remarkable balance, and a great finish. It's a gorgeous bottle of wine that will keep for over a decade.

Jeb Dunnuck (95+)

The 2016 Château Bellefont-Belcier was truly brilliant on all three occasions I was able to taste it, rating 95 twice and 97 once. Coming from a 13.5-hectare vineyard on the magical Côte Pavie (it’s right next door to Larcis-Ducasse) and a blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 80% new oak, it offers a black fruit-driven style as well as loads of black raspberries, black cherries, graphite, leafy herbs, and hints of incense. It's powerful, full-bodied, has building sweet tannins, and the rock star purity of fruit that's the hallmark of the vintage. It’s an awesome wine to drink over the coming 20-25 years.

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.

James Suckling (95-96)

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.

James Suckling (95-96)

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.

James Suckling (95-96)

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.

James Suckling (95-96)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.