Château Belair Monange, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2025
Belair Monange, which incorporates the vineyards of Belair and Magdelaine, occupies an enviable position on the limestone Côte to the west of Chateau Ausone. This limestone Côte has demonstrated its ability to cope with hot dry vintages in 2025, suffering no blockages and resulting in a slew of stunning wines. The Belair Monange certainly fits into this category. Initially subtle and subdued, it requires a little coaxing, then starts revealing an intriguing array of sandalwood, cherry blossom and mineral notes. On the palate there's a real sense of dynamism; pure, silky textured hedgerow fruit mixes with flowers and delicate oak spice. This dances across the palate, sparkling with fruit and intrigue, culminating in a reverberating finish with multifaceted, graceful tannins. Superb.
critic reviews
The 2025 Bélair-Monange was picked between September 4 and 19 and matured in 50% new oak. This has a classy nose, understated at first, exquisite delineation, nuanced with its mixture of red and black fruit, sage, undergrowth and light rose petal scents, real purity. The palate is armed with a satin-like texture, real depth and gentle grip, yet discreet and poised with disarming pliancy and fluidity on the almost viscous finish. Real umami sensation with this wine. This is a sophisticated Bélair-Monange that will give decades of drinking pleasure.
Gorgeous nuanced crushed red rose petal nose, this has a lot of juice running right through the palate and is totally delicious, cherry pit, savoury blueberry and cranberry fruits, a ton of limestone signature, long and drawn out on the finish. Again a limestone junkie wine but here you will definitely get your fix. 26hl/h, Harvest September 4 to 19. 50% new oak for ageing.