Château Bellefont-Belcier 2011

Fruity, crisp, enjoyable, fresh.

This beautiful 2011 St.-Emilion possesses a sumptuous texture, lots of rich, earthy blackcurrant and black cherry fruit and spice-box characteristics, a round, medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel, and impressive purity, texture and length. Already strutting its stuff, it can be drunk now and over the next 10–12 years. A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a sleeper of the vintage.

This has a relatively open feel, with mesquite and bramble notes melded into the core of crushed plum, red currant and red licorice. A flash of sinew keeps the finish honest, but this has good drive and is approachable already. Best from 2015 through 2022. 2,500 cases made.

Higher vintage acidity lends superior freshness, albeit with somewhat harder tannins. As with 2010, overripe fruit and caramel aspects detract, but some verve shines through. A good pairing for barbecued steak.

This is layered and rich, with beautiful fruit for the vintage, with dried berries and chocolate. Needs at least three years to soften. Very well done for the vintage. Better in 2016.

Surprisingly good for the vintage, this blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon offers sweet black cherries, plums, licorice and dark chocolate. Soft, polished and forward, the end notes deliver cocoa-dusted plum sensations.

Red wine with a very intense colour, still completely opaque at the core; the rim indicates a few years of aging. It starts out discreetly, but there’s a lot going on in there. I would call this very modern and polished: I get notes of cocoa beans, some smoky hints, new oak. A lot of dark fruit, dark plum and blackberry. Very dense palate, a high level of concentration. Plenty of tannins but finely grained, with no hardness; it’s what I usually describe as “cocoa powder” tannins. Really fine with plenty of density, high concentration, ripe fruit. I’d say the oak is well integrated now, with some hints of roasted notes on the finish. Really concentrated in a modern, polished style, with a very persistent finish; it keeps lingering. Stylish, well-made; I would still prefer to age this for a few more years because a wine at this level will gain so much, in terms of aromatic complexity and a bit more roundness on the palate, that it will doubtlessly evolve very well.

Deep purple, dense at the core, with a garnet hue on the rim. Concentrated bouquet, cherry compote and red cassis. On the palate, this almost jammy sweetness continues; the tannins are peppery and, unfortunately, also gritty. It got a second chance at Barde-Haut. Unfortunately negative.

Fine, silky bouquet, red berries, raspberries, balsa wood, tobacco. Refined, velvety palate with good tannins, spicy aromatics, fragrant finish. 17/20 2018 - 2030

A good, well-balanced wine with plenty of finesse—surely from a great terroir.

The nose is fresh, aromatic, and offers a certain power/concentration. It reveals notes of blackberry, fairly ripe black berries and, more subtly, crushed strawberry, combined with touches of crushed blue fruits, crushed almond, hints of pepper and incense, as well as a subtle touch of graphite and toasted/caramelized hazelnut. The palate is fruity, balanced, and offers power, refined minerality, freshness, and a certain tension/straightness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/ripe blackcurrant, fairly ripe black mulberry and, more subtly, fairly ripe raspberry, combined with touches of pepper, caramelization, grilled hazelnut, hints of violet, as well as a subtle touch of grilled thyme and cocoa. The tannins are structuring and discreetly firm.

Lovely, refined nose: pure and noble. A tender, perfumed palate, flavorful and very chic as it unfolds. It benefits from brilliant fruit. Normal power and length.

87-89. Barrel sample. Smooth and rich, this wine is dominated by firm tannins, tarry fruit and new wood.