Château Belair, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2005

Name: Château Belair, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
Brand: Château Belair
Price: 785.47 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2005

justerini & brooks tasting note

We have followed this property for some years and always suspected that the delicacy of its wines could be bolstered without losing focus or character, and with the 2005 we have exactly that. It is a hugely appealing wine with real backbone, still with delicate hues of rose petals and wafting smoke on the nose but with a substantial, developed palate that includes flavours of creamy blackberry and cherry, and chewy tobacco leaf. Very good balance, and a fine finish. The best yet.

critic reviews

90/100Stephen Tanzer,Vinous

Good ruby-red. Fresh, sexy nose features currant, plum and smoked meat. Large-scaled and sweet, even voluptuous for this chateau. Not the last word in personality yet, but this is silky and mouthfilling, and the serious tannins are nicely ripe. (An earlier sample showed blueberry, blackberry and menthol on the nose and palate and came across a bit more medicinal and less fleshy. As a result, the tannins seemed a tad dry. I scored this bottle 88 points.) Belair seems greatly improved beginning with this vintage.

date of review 05/2008

87/100Robert Parker,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Now that Christian Moueix has bought in to this estate and begun to harvest ripe rather than underripe fruit, as well as institute a selection process, which never before existed, quality has risen. The 2005 may be the finest Belair I have ever tasted (which includes at least 35 vintages). By no means inspiring, especially in the context of the vintage, it is a deep ruby-hued, medium-bodied 2005 offering an attractive, sweet bouquet of black cherry liqueur, earth, and vanilla. It is made in a medium-bodied style that is not dissimilar from Moueixs nearby premier grand cru classe estate, Magdelaine. There is more minerality here, but this finesse-styled St.-Emilion should be at its best between 2013-2023.

DRINKING WINDOW 2013 - 2023

date of review 04/2008