Château Belgrave 2016

Solid, with plum and black currant notes forming the core, framed by a tobacco accent and backed by light iron and alder details on the finish. A textbook Haut-Médoc. Drink now through 2028. 18,750 cases made.

High on the acidity, you know you are in the Médoc here. It's extremely Cabernet dominant, with scents of damson, rich spiced plum and touches of vanillin. Great individual strands of flavour include blackberry and bilberry, beautifully fattened up during ageing in bottle. 34% new oak.

Extremely perfumed with lots of Cabernet character, such as flowers and blackcurrants. Full-bodied, with a pretty core of fruit and very polished tannins that fold into the fruit. Extremely well crafted. A blend of 69 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 percent Merlot and 3 percent Petit Verdot. Needs two or three years to come together. Try after 2022.

The 2016 Belgrave is gorgeous. Striking aromatics and silky, nuanced fruit give the 2016 much of its considerable immediacy and overall appeal. This expressive, beautifully layered Haut-Médoc has a lot to offer.

A top year for Belgrave, the wine is loaded with ripe blackberries, licorice and tobacco leaf notes. Medium to full-bodied, with freshness and a bright, spicy, leafy, red-berry finish.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, discreet brightening at the rim, with fine oak, ripe dark forest fruits, a touch of nougat, attractive bouquet. Complex, tightly knit, taut texture, integrated tannins, good freshness, mineral and persistent, has length, will improve further.

Pure nose with ripe Cabernet notes of cassis, mint, sage, plum and some red fruit, discreet oak and tobacco notes. Medium weight but dense with fresh Cabernet, ripe and grainy tannin, a bright freshness, crushed black currant, aromatic herbs, tobacco and a long finish.

The spicy, red and black-fruited 2016 Château Belgrave is fresh and elegant, and while it could use some more oomph, it’s nicely balanced and enjoyable.

Deep purple with a dense core and a violet rim. Floral start with little fruit pressure, but delicate leafy notes and blackberry bramble. On the palate, powerful and peppery, with a tightly cut structure and plenty of cassis on the aftertaste, leading into a long, focused finish. A very classic Belgrave, not a charmer, but with potential! 17.5/20

Kunz barrel sample 17: (69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot) Deep, elegant, dense bouquet with black berries, cassis, currants, dark tobacco, cedar. Dense, velvety, multi-layered palate with a classic, elegant structure, concentrated and varied aromatics, plenty of fine tannins, delicate, sweet fruit, very long, fresh finish.

(69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot) Deep, elegant, dense bouquet with black berries, cassis, currants, dark tobacco and cedar. Dense, velvety, multi-layered palate with a classic, elegant structure, concentrated and diverse aromatics, lots of fine tannins, delicate, sweet fruit and a very long, fresh finish. 18/20 2025 - 2040

Beautiful, complete wine with cedar notes reminiscent of a Saint-Julien, with a silky, unctuous texture.

Garnet red with violet highlights. What superb aromatic intensity, combining élevage with floral and fruity notes. Youthful character. On the palate, the wine is compact, juicy and immediately shows a beautiful aromatic expression from the attack. The tannins ideally support the palate, together with the acidic structure. The result is a fresh, powerful and fruit-driven wine. It has time ahead of it, plenty of time. In the meantime, enjoy the 2015s.

Dark, intense color. Moderately aromatic nose with fresh fruit. Soft on the attack, silky mid-palate, perfumed and fairly rich in texture; the wine unfolds assertively on the finish—flavorful, long, sappy, with a rather fine tannin grain. Beautifully sapid structure and bursting fruit. It’s very good.

93–95. Barrel Sample. This is an opulent wine, packed with ripe fruit, sweet tannins and ample acidity, all in balance. The wine is full and juicy, with great spice at the end. The finish is firm while still reveling in fruitiness.