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Bellevue 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Tasting Notes

Made under the guidance of Hubert du Bouard, this blend of primarily Merlot and a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc (around 9%) from the limestone soils on the hillsides of St.-Emilion exhibits a dense purple color, lots of chalky minerality and a big, sweet perfume of boysenberries, blackberries, licorice and burning embers. It is full-bodied and opulent with an abundance of fruit, glycerin, power and silkiness. Some tannins lurking in the finish suggest a half dozen years of cellaring will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (199), March 2012

Lovely juicy and ripe fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and lots of bright fruit. Fresh jam. Slightly hollow center palate at the moment, but should fill in nicely.

88/91
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010

Dark purple. Intense and tarry on the nose. Lots of juice with minerality on the finish. Nice combo! Real vitality. Date tasted 1st April 2010. Drink 2016-2022.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

Long, fine, lovely purity of fruit. Limestone terroir evident. Has the racy quality of a top cru. Drink 2017-2030.

16.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010
Read more tasting notes...

A blend of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, this wine, which is made under the administration of Hubert de Bouard, tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. Loads of chalky minerality from limestone soils are obviously present in this wine, which has a dense purple color, a viscous, full-bodied mouthfeel, huge fruit concentration, power, and structure. From yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, the wine is rather massive and backward in the mouth. It looks terrific and could turn out to be superior to their great 2000. However, patience will be required, as this wine needs 5-7 years of cellaring, but should last three decades. (Tasted four times.) Drink 2015-2045.

92/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010

Tasted at Chateau Angelus. A blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the Bellevue '09 has a rounded, silky smooth nose of kirsch, orange liqueur, honey and cedar with fine definition and focus. This is a very classy bouquet. The palate is full-bodied with firm, structure tannins, very fine balance and focus, great purity and expression. Very good grip, a more masculine Bellevue but with greater breeding than in previous vintages, the minerality on the finish quite enthralling. Superb. Tasted March 2010.

93/95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010
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.