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Belair-Monange 2014

Tasting Notes

Extremely perfumed with rose aromas that turn to strawberries and citrus. Some stones, too. Full-bodied, yet reserved and ultra-refined. It goes on for minutes. Power with finesse. Try in 2022 but already a joy to taste.

96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2017

The first vintage to include fruit from replantings on the upper plateau, the 2014 Château Bélair-Monange is another brilliant wine and is a 2014 that marries elegance and finesse with richness and terrific length. A blend of mostly Merlot and roughly 10% Cabernet Franc, it offers ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a complex bouquet of black cherry and currant-like fruits, lots of Asian spice, acacia flowers, cedary spice, and dried earth-like minerality. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, exceedingly elegant, with fine tannin, and great finish, it needs an hour of air if drinking anytime soon, and will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years. 2018 - 2038

95
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, November 2017

There's gorgeous purity here, with cassis, loganberry and raspberry fruit carried by a lightly brambly feel, giving this more weight and grip than previous vintages. The chalky thread is there and really extends through the finish but is easily absorbed overall. Ends with lovely bergamot and rooibos tea notes. Best from 2022 through 2035. 2,167 cases made.

95
James Molesworth, WineSpectator.com, February 2017

The 2014 Belair-Monange is deep garnet-brick in color. Notes of cedar and clove oil soon open out to reveal a powerful undercurrent of baked plums and dried blackberries plus hints of tar and damp soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with rich black fruits supported by grainy tannins and well-balanced freshness, finishing long and spicy. This is classic.

94
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, March 2024

Tasted blind. Rather minty nose. Big, thick and bold. Very solid with the density of fruit almost covering the heavy tannin charge. Very slightly old-fashioned. But it delivers pleasure and accomplished winemaking. Very controversial wine in our tasting!
Drink 2024-2040

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2018

Among the more elegant wines in the J-P Moueix portfolio, with medium colour, subtle oak and soft, summer fruit flavours sustained by refreshing acidity. Fine-boned rather than corpulent with real finesse, grace and palate length.

94
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2015
Read more tasting notes...

The 2014 Belair-Monange was a slightly perplexing wine when I tasted it from barrel, so I was intrigued to discover how it would perform now in bottle. It has what you might describe as a "straight-laced" bouquet: very direct and nicely delineated, albeit without the frills and nuances of some of the best Saint Emilion wines this vintage. There is an attractive wilted rose petal aroma that emerges with aeration, but I was seeking more intensity. The palate is better than the aromatics: silky smooth in texture, well-judged acidity, genuine depth and gentle grip in the mouth. There is tangible mineralité here, great focus with a sense of tension and "bite" towards the finish. I was probably being parsimonious with my score in barrel, although that is partly vindicated by the nose that needs to get its act together and match the potential of the palate. Let's see how this develops over the next few years. Drink date 2020 -2038

92
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (Interim en), April 2017

The Château Belair-Monange 2014 has a surprisingly "outgoing" bouquet that is determined to make an impression: blackcurrant pastilles intermingling with truffle and iodine scents. The palate is medium-bodied and linear, underpinned by strict, slightly rigid tannins that lend this a masculine personality. It has a slight bitter note on the finish but a satisfying long, peppery aftertaste following suit. It is just missing a little substance and flair. Not a bad Belair-Monange by a long chalk, though I might actually have a preference for the 2012. Drink: 2018 - 2030

89/91
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com (218), April 2015

Lots of mineral, chalk and salt character with dark fruits. Full and powerful with firm tannins and a long finish. Compacted and tight with wonderful density and intensity.

93/94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2015

Not much nose but very polished texture. Almost bloody flavours with tannins well in evidence. Lots of tannin and power – alcohol? – on the end. Good persistence.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Thick and dense and very rich and opulent. Sweet and beguiling and round and velvety. Layers and confidence. Gorgeous stuff, with opulent scents and a great spread over the palate. Impressive!
Drink 2024-2040

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2015
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.