【Famous flying winemaker Michel Rolland serves as winemaking consultant】
【The first Bordeaux Classified Chateau held by Chinese】
【Winery with a long history of more than 200 years】
【Fermentation in traditional cement tanks]
【Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé】
【James Suckling 95】【Jeb Dunnuck 94】【Decanter 94】
【Vinous 93】【Wine Advocate 92+】【Vivino 4.2】
ZTF502B Chateau Bellefont Belcier 2018 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Special Price：$398/psc
Region/Grade: France/Bordeaux/Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Grape varieties: 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol content: 14.5%
Harvesting: Manual harvesting
Grapevines: Average age 35 years
Soil: clay, limestone
Oak barrel aging: French oak barrels, 20 months
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【James Suckling 95】【Jeb Dunnuck 95+】【Wine Advocate 93+】
【Vinous 92】【Wine Spectator 92】【Vivino 4.2】
ZTF502C Chateau Bellefont Belcier 2016 Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Special Price：$398/psc
Region/Grade: France/Bordeaux/Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Grape varieties: 65% Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol content: 15%
Harvesting: Manual harvesting
Grapevines: Average age 35 years
Soil: clay, limestone
Oak barrel aging: French oak barrels, 20 months
【Saint-Émilion production area】
Saint-Émilion has the longest history of wine production in Bordeaux, longer than the Left Bank, dating back to a monk named Saint Émilion in the 8th century, and the wines of St-Émilion vary greatly depending on the soil in which they are grown - throughout Soils vary widely by region. Saint-Émilion's wines are mainly divided into two levels: "Grand Cru Classé" and "Premier Grand Cru Classé". Among them, "Premier Grand Cru Classé" is divided into two levels. The highest level is "Premier Grand Cru Classé A". Classé B", there are 13 wineries. There are 46 "Grand Cru Classé", and those marked "Grand Cru" do not belong to the classification of Saint-Émilion, and are the most common wineries without classification.
【Chateau Introduction:】
Chateau Bellefont-Belcier is located in the Saint-Emilion (Saint-Emilion) wine region in Bordeaux, France, and is one of the Saint-Emilion Grand Crus. The earliest records about the history of the land where Chateau Bellefont-Belcier is located date back to the 17th century. At the end of the 18th century, Count Louis Francois de Belcier bought the land and reclaimed part of it as a vineyard. In 1803, the Earl of Bess built the Chateau Castle, and the winery was officially established. The Earl named it "Chateau Bellefont-Belcier". The word "Bellefont" means Belle Fontaine in French, which means "beautiful spring water". This is because there are many large and small natural hot springs near the winery. Over the past two hundred years, the winery has changed hands several times. In 2012, The winery was bought by the Wang family from China, becoming the first Bordeaux listed winery owned by a Chinese. In 2017, the winery was bought by Peter Kwok, a wealthy Hong Kong businessman who loves wine. Currently owned by Its partner Jean-Christophe Meyrou is responsible for the management. Chateau Bellefont-Belcier's vineyard covers an area of 20 hectares, located on the south-facing slope of Cote Pavie, not far from Chateau Pavie. The soil in the vineyard is mainly composed of clay and limestone , 70% of the planted vines are Merlot, 20% are Cabernet Franc, 10% are Cabernet Sauvignon, and the planting density is 6,000-8,000 trees per hectare.
Chateau Bellefont-Belcier comes from the Saint-Emilion classified vineyard, located on the south-facing slope of Cote Pavie, adjacent to the famous Tertre Rotebœuf and Château Pavie. The quality is excellent, the wines are often rated 88-93 points by professional experts, and the 2018 was awarded JS 95 points.
How to explain that Chateau Bellefont-Belcier will attract Chinese people, even Mr. Guo Yan, a rich man from Hong Kong? Because the winery has a long history of more than 200 years~ It also invited the famous flying winemaker Michel Rolland as a winemaking consultant, so that the wine quality of the winery is excellent It has been improved to a great extent . In addition, traditional cement tanks are still used for fermentation in the winemaking process, and the grape mash is put into French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. Finally, the fermented wine liquid is aged in oak barrels for 20 months to brew A wine of high quality, smooth in the mouth and long and delicate in the aftertaste.
James Suckling 95pts
A dense, rich red, yet the tannins are so fine and integrated with beautiful texture and finesse. It’s full-bodied, showing pretty balance and refinement with lots of exotic fruit and richness.
Jeb Dunnuck 94
I continue to love this Saint-Emilion, which hails from a 12.5-hectare vineyard located just beside Larcis Ducasse, on the Côte Pavie hillside. Based on 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Château Bellefont-Belcier's deep purple hue is followed by a ripe, medium to full-bodied 2018 with loads of blueberry and currant bud-like fruits as well as notes of leafy tobacco, spring flowers, truffle, and earth.
Decanter 94
Impressive linearity and salinity. For once, I notice the winemaking, with greater fruit purity such as juicy plum and ripe blackberry. Gone is the drying finish of noticeable oak tannin from earlier vintages. 'In 15 years, this wine will be praised by all for its precision and freshness,' says estate consultant, Thomas Duclos. It is already lovely. Picking began on 20 September, much earlier in comparison to a previous solar year such as 2015 which saw no picking at all in September. Long finish. Enjoy with seared duck with mushrooms and roasted potatoes.
Vinous 93
The 2018 Bellefont-Belcier is superb. Expressive floral and savory top notes play off a core of inky dark fruit in a potent, heady Saint-Émilion loaded with character. Rose petal, lavender, spice and inky red/purplish fruit all open in the glass. The brooding tannins that once penalized this wine have been replaced by a great sense of finesse, and 2018 was just the first vintage. There is plenty to look forward to in future years.
Wine Advocate 92+
A blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Bellefont Belcier has a deep garnet-purple color and classic notes of warm plums, blackberry preserves and cedar chest, plus wafts of lavender, clove oil and chocolate box. The medium to full-bodied palate is impressively well-poised with soft, rounded tannins and just enough freshness supporting the juicy black fruits, finishing with a bright, cheery skip in its step. Lots to love here!
Wine Spectator 90
Soft-edged and seductive, with creamed plum and steeped raspberry notes laced with hints of sweet spice and red tea. A pretty savory echo extends the finish nicely.
