| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Château Belair Monange is now owned by the Moueix family, and has had a new name since the 2008 vintage. This is one of the best vineyards in Saint Emilion and in the 1850s was rated as St Emilion's leading property. It is perched at the top of the slope right next to Ausone, near Canon and above Angélus. Despite the brilliant terroir, the wine-making was mediocre for many years until the Moueix purchase. It is clear that Edouard Moueix is transforming this château into one of the stars of Saint Emilion. The vineyard is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Work is ongoing to improve the yield of vines up to 100 years old, in tandem with filling in gaps in the vineyard. 26 hectares. A second wine "Annonce" is now produced from the younger vines. The new winery completed in 2023 is absolutely stunning
The yield in 2024 was 35 hl/h after double-sorting, both manual and optical. The grapes were harvested from September 23rd to 28th. It is 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and the wine will be matured in 50% new oak. ABV 13.5%.
Deep garnet-purple colored. After a little shaking, the nose unfurls to reveal notes of black cherries and fresh raspberries, opening out to hints of lilacs, anise, and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with black and red berry layers, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and perfumed. A real head-turner.
Notes of sweet cherries, berries, crushed mint and potpourri introduce the 2024 Belair Monange, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and suave wine that's pure, precise and harmonious, with lively acids and creditable persistence on the finish.
The 2024 Bélair-Monange was picked between 23 and 28 September and aged in 50% new oak. This offers raspberry and wild strawberry scents on the nose that is defined but clearly not as complex as the bravura aromatics of the 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant, juicy tannins and attractive blackberry and boysenberry scents with a little fig and allspice mixed in toward the harmonious finish. There's good concentration here. This does not possess the complexity of a great Belair-Monange, but it should give up to 20 years of drinking pleasure. 2029 - 2050
Mid ruby colour in the glass. The nose this year has a powerful fragrance, with ripe red cherries, wild strawberries, and a hint of garrigue - there is a precise and ethereal quality to the aromatics that make this enticing. This follows on the palate, which is silky, quite chalky, lined with a brisk acid profile and full of high tone fruit. The palate has ample middle for the vintage, with juicy fruit building to the finish in tandem with well judged wood spice. Saline spices, plum and fine tannins form the finish. An accomplished effort in 2024.
Balanced and refined, showing blackberries, dark chocolate and dark plums that follow through to a medium body with integrated tannins and a savory finish. Real elegance and subtle length. A blend of 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc.
Limestone grip, terroir definitely playing its part, succulent, and well balanced, has precision, fragrant peony and lilac, density through the palate with a wave of juice on the finish. Think cherry pit, tobacco leaf, pumice stone. Currently the blend has no press wine, they will decide whether to add it over ageing, 50% new oak, harvest September 23 to 28, 3.8ph. No plans to have a 2nd wine (Annonce de Belair) in the vintage.
The 2024 Bélair-Monange is all sensuality. Soft and racy, with lovely forward fruit, the 2024 is impeccably balanced from start to finish. Espresso, dried herbs, rose petal, blood orange and pomegranate confer an exotic flair. The 2024 is an especially mid-weight Bélair-Monange. I won't be at all surprised if it grows with élevage. 2034-2054.
