Critics reviews
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 23/12/2011
About this WINE
Château Belle-Vue
Ch. Belle-Vue is a 15-hectare estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation, just south of some top Margaux estates and next to Ch. Giscours. As of the 2018 vintage, it is classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the top tier of that classification.
Ch. Belle-Vue is a 15-hectare estate located in the south of the Haut-Médoc appellation near Macau. The estate stands out for its use of Petit Verdot. As of the 2018 vintage, Belle-Vue is classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the top tier of that classification. Belle-Vue – along with sister properties Ch. Gironville and Ch. Bolaire – is owned by the heirs of the late financier Vincent Mulliez. The estates are run by Vincent’s widow, Isabelle, and director Jérôme Pineau.
The estate situated just south of some top Margaux properties, and is right next to Ch. Giscours. The soils at Belle-Vue are deep, fine gravel. Petit Verdot makes up 24% of the vineyard; some vines date back to the 1930s. There are plans to expand the proportion to 25%.
In addition to the grand vin, the team here produce a single-varietal Petit Verdot from old vines, aged in amphoras.
Since 2017, Belle-Vue has had HVE-3 certification; this is the highest level of France’s Haute Valeur Environnementale program, promoting environmentally friendly viticulture.
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.
In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and Australia.
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Description
In a somewhat tragic twist, this over-achieving cru bourgeois in Haut-Medoc has turned in its finest wine to date, an unfined cuvee made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, created by the late proprietor Vincent Mulliez, who died suddenly last year. Sadly, this was his best effort. Notes of blackberries, black currants, licorice and a hint of toasty oak jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, well-endowed, impressively pure and textured wine. It should drink nicely for up to a decade.
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 23/12/2011
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