Chateau Bellefont Belcier 2022
SKU
BEBE202210 UCAU
-
En Primeur - Delivery late 2025
-
''...medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a suave, seamless profile'' - William Kelly
-
Bellefont is derived from 'Beautiful Fountains' which historically existed on the castle
-
1 or more bottles$99.00
-
James Suckling98 points
-
Robert Parker's95 points
-
Jane Anson95 points
-
Jeb Dunnuck95 points
-
Jeff Leve98 points
Editors notes
Château Bellefont, constructed in the late 18th century under the patronage of the Count of Belcier, derives its name from the presence of exquisite fountains in its vicinity. The estate, historically affiliated with the renowned Faure family of Bordeaux, came under the ownership of Jacques Berrebi and Alain Laguillaumie in 1994, with Dominique Hébrard later joining as a partner. Together, the three investors are dedicated to revitalizing and modernizing the vineyard and facilities of Château Bellefont-Belcier, aiming to provide its loyal customers with an exceptional wine experience.
Details
-
Wine Type
-
Vintage
-
Variety
-
Brand
-
Location
-
Cellaring
-
Closure
-
Alcohol Percentage
-
Bottle Size
-
Oak Type
Critic Scores & reviews
-
James Suckling
98"Blackberry, iron, hazelnut, crushed stone, hints of salt and spice. Medium to full body. Fresh and vivid. Very sophisticated and classy. The tannins are silky and so fine, but then it opens up at the end of the palate."
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
95"This estate's renaissance continues, and the 2022 Bellefont Belcier is both the finest and most elegant wine that the team has produced today. Mingling aromas of plums and sweet berries with notions of rose petals and bay leaf, it's medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a suave, seamless profile. Readers will remember that this derives from a beautifully situated hillside vineyard, sandwiched between Larcis Ducasse and Tertre Roteboeuf on either side, with holdings belonging to Pavie and Troplong Mondot on the plateau above. The 2022 is a blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.- 93-95 William Kelly"
-
Jane Anson
95"Concentrated deep plum colour, beautifully measured capturing the power of the vintage without being overblown. Opens with a burst of fresh red roses and violets on the nose, and the black cherry and damson fruits are shot through with a ton of saffran and turmeric. Mouthwatering sapidity on the finish, this is a brilliant Bellefont Belcier and absolutely one to look out for. 40hl/h yield; 30% new oak barrels for ageing, together with 30% unusual egg-shaped wooden vats, and the rest between one and two year old barrels. Emmanuelle Fulchi d'Aligny techincal director, moving over from Château Angélus, and this is the first full vintage under her direction (just did the blend of 2021)."
-
Jeb Dunnuck
95"The 2022 Château Bellefont-Belcier is a lively, medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion that shines for its vibrancy and purity while still bringing beautiful depth of fruit. A blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a terrific sense of minerality in its red and blue fruits as well as notes of graphite, woodsmoke, and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this ripe, concentrated, yet incredible elegant 2022 stays nicely focused, has fine grained tannins, and outstanding length. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes. 93-95 Jeb Dunnuck"
-
Jeff Leve
98"Flowers, plums, espresso, mint leaf, spice, cedar and blackberries create the nose. On the palate, the wine is silky, elegant, refined, and packed with the essence of minerality adding complexity to its layers of cherries and plums. The fruits express purity and symmetry in the finish. The wine blends 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.15% ABV, 3.45 pH. Harvesting took place September 7 - October 6. The wine is aging in 30% new French oak barrels, 30% in foudres and 40% in used oak barrels. Drink from 2027 - 2050. 96-98 (The Cellar Insider)"
Other vintages
Love this wine? Here's a list of other vintages we have in stock if you'd like to try them as well.
There are no other vintages found.
Current auction
All current auctions for this wine & any different vintages.
Locations
France
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux has a rich history of winemaking, dating back to the Roman times. Today, it is known as one of the most significant wine regions in the world, with a reputation for producing complex, full-bodied red wines. The region is home to a diverse range of terroirs, each with its own unique microclimate, soil composition, and grape varieties.
The left bank of Bordeaux is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region's gravelly soils. These wines tend to be bold, tannic, and complex, with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. On the right bank, Merlot is king, producing wines that are softer and fruitier, with notes of plum, cherry, and chocolate.
Aside from the red blends, Bordeaux is also renowned for its sweet wines, particularly from the Sauternes and Barsac appellations. These wines are made using a unique process that involves botrytis, or "noble rot," which concentrates the sugars in the grapes, resulting in a lusciously sweet and complex wine.
Bordeaux's classification system has evolved over time, with some estates moving up or down the ranks depending on the quality of their wines. Today, the system includes five growths, with Premier Cru being the highest and Deuxièmes Crus being the second-highest. There is also a separate classification for the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, with Chateau d’Yquem holding the highest rank.
Overall, Bordeaux is a region that continues to captivate wine enthusiasts around the world with its rich history, diverse terroirs, and exceptional wines.
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion, a prestigious and historic appellation located on the right bank of the Gironde river in Bordeaux, France, is a red-wine-only region that has earned a well-deserved spot on the World Heritage List. Although Saint-Émilion is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean, it still benefits from the moderating influence of the river and the cool, humid climate of the region, which is ideal for cultivating early-ripening grape varieties.
Merlot, the primary grape variety in Saint-Émilion, is renowned for its plump, juicy fruit flavors and velvety tannins, and it is typically blended with Cabernet Franc, which adds structure, tannin, and complexity. Some châteaux also grow small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, which contributes additional depth and richness to the final blend.
Wine styles in Saint-Émilion can range from simple, easy-drinking wines that are perfect for enjoying in their youth to premium Grand Cru Classé wines that are among the most coveted and sought-after in the world. The quality of the wine is influenced by many factors, including location, vine age, and winemaking techniques.
The best wines from Saint-Émilion are characterized by their intense, concentrated aromas and flavors of red and black plums, often accompanied by notes of vanilla and clove from aging in new oak barrels. These wines are typically full-bodied, with high alcohol content and robust tannins, which provide structure and aging potential. Over time, bottle aging will soften the tannins, allowing the wine's rich fruit flavors to fully express themselves.
It's worth noting that Saint-Émilion has its own classification system for Premier Grand Cru Classé and Grand Cru Classé wines, which is updated every decade to reflect the changing quality of the region's wines. This system serves as a benchmark for quality and helps consumers to identify the best wines from this renowned appellation.
About the brand Chateau Bellefont-Belcier
Chateau Bellefont Belcier dates back to the seventeenth century as an estate. The vineyard was officially founded in the middle of the eighteenth century by Count Louis Francois de Belcier, which as you can guess, is where the estate took the first part of its name from.
In 1803, the Count constructed the chateau that remains in use today. The Count was also responsible for giving the estate the first part of its name, Bellefont. The 12.5 hectare vineyards of Bellefont Belcier are planted to 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. However, the entire estate is 20 hectares.
You May Also Like
Customer Reviews
Write Your Own Review