Château Belair Monange, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion,

The estate formally known as Chateau Belair - one of the most revered estates in Bordeaux; Belair Monange is the renaissance of a great terroir. Despite its enviable position on the limestone Cote of St Emilion, next to Chateau Ausone, Belair was a perennial underachiever, unable to replicate past glories from its heyday.

Purchased in 2007 by the Moueix family, the name was changed in honour of Anne-Adèle Monange, wife of Jean Moueix, and also to avoid confusion with the multitude of other Belairs! A huge effort in the vineyard, in the winery and also restoring the Chateau has made an instant impact. The first vintage produced under the watchful eye of Christian and Edouard Moueix was the 2008. The results were clear to see. In September 2012 Belair Monange incorporated the neighbouring vineyards of Magdelaine (also a Moueix estate). This has increased production and far from diluting the quality, subsequent vintages keep getting better and better. Those who like serious, ethereal, high-toned St Emilion should take note.