Château Bélair-Monange 2024

Medium-bodied ruby red; delicate, fragrant nose, with oak present yet not overpowering, notes of violet blossoms, cherries, blackcurrant and citrus, playful yet profound; silky on the attack, velvety tannins wrap around the fruit, full-bodied without feeling heavy, very fine acidity; great sense of tension and an exceptionally long finish. This wine shows wonderful harmony and, with further ageing, could develop into one of the finest wines of the Right Bank.

Floral and lifted but vibrant too, richly scented, dark black bramble fruit with sweet red cherries, strawberries, vanilla and cinnamon. Smooth and silky, this is juicy and bright, immediately arresting with clean cherry flavours and lots of blueberry, cola and wet stones bringing the salinity and minerality. Fruit forward, upfront, mouthwatering with super fine tannins, barely there - this is really well presented. On the serious side in terms of the spice right now, but this will be excellent in time. Lots of character. Supple, fun, expressive, fragrant, lifted, clean, focussed and refined. A great effort this vintage. Terroir nuance and plenty of kick! They didn't hold back and have really created something brilliant. Ageing 50% new oak barrels for 16-18 months.

The nose is quite floral, with notes of black cherries, licorice, espresso, crushed stones, and plums shaping the perfume. The palate is even better, featuring layers of fresh, soft, elegant, ripe red fruits that exhibit refined textures, energy, purity, and vibrance both on the palate and in the aromatic finish. The wine is produced from 98% Merlot, with 2% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2029-2055. 94-96 Pts

Limestone grip, terroir definitely playing its part, succulent, and well balanced, has precision, fragrant peony and lilac, density through the palate with a wave of juice on the finish. Think cherry pit, tobacco leaf, pumice stone. Currently the blend has no press wine, they will decide whether to add it over ageing, 50% new oak, harvest September 23 to 28, 3.8ph. No plans to have a 2nd wine (Annonce de Belair) in the vintage.

Deep, purple colour. Very aromatic nose, finely fruity and subtle, turning creamy when the glass is swirled. Both precise and dense from the attack, the wine develops a fleshy, flavoursome profile with hedonistic smoothness. Past the mid-palate, it melts across the palate, still velvety and fragrant. Long and very well built. Blend: 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.