Château Bellevue 2024

Red berry aromas on the nose, fragrant and lively. This has a filling texture, softly chewy tannins give a round mouthfeel with a soft plushness and some minty, liquorice and herbal touches. It’s quite straight, touching on austere in terms of texture although the acidity is well balanced by the ripe fruit and concentration. Quite a sexy wine, with chalky tannins and some salty, minerality on the finish. The density and overall weight belies the vintage conditions, this is not weak at all. A touch of sweetness too adds complexity but ends austere and mineral with the limestone terroir in the glass. This is excellent. Good potential. Ageing 20% new foudre, 30% new oak, rest one year barrels. 3.54pH.

Dried flowers, lilacs, cherries, red plums, strawberry, and licorice show with ease on the nose. Fresh, vibrant, silky, and refined, the fruits are sweet, long, and seductive, offering a nice sense of purity on the medium-bodied palate and in the finish. The wine is produced from 100% old-vine Merlot, 13.5% ABV. Drink from 2027–2042. 92–94 pts

Gorgeous chalky tannins, red cherry and cherry pit, raspberry and blueberry fruits, always a naturally steely and saline finish to Bellevue, reflecting its limestone-dominant soils, gentle spice notes, and a kiss of oak. This is a physical wine, with a sensation of pumice and slate, and a sappy and sinewy finish that reflects the 10% whole bunch ferment. Frederic Massie of Derenoncourt Consultants, 35hl/h yield, harvest was October 3 to 6. 3ha estate, Sophie and Axel Pradel de Laxaux family sole owners since 2022, after a decade or more in partnership with the de Boüard family of Angélus.

Deep, intense, purple colour. Very aromatic, fruity nose with subtle truffle notes. It develops beautifully in the glass, gaining complexity. Delicate on the attack, with a precise texture, plenty of flavour and length; the wine unfolds with a smooth, savoury mid-palate and a moderate finish. Very good. Beautifully fluid progression for a 100% Merlot. Alcohol content: 13.5% – pH: 3.54.