2018 Château Bellefont-Belcier

Description

95   James Suckling
“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.” (1/2021)

94   Jane Anson
“Well-located on the limestone slopes near Pavie, this has been under the ownership of Peter Kwok since 2017. Here he delivers a measured wine that has plenty of limestone character in a saline twist through the finish, while maintaining that St-Emilion gloss. Chocolate pods and just the right kind of bite; feels confident and with potential ahead. 30% new oak.” (11/2020)

94   Jeb Dunnuck
“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. Nicely textured, with fine, polished tannins and solid depth of fruit, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will evolve for 25 years or more.” (3/2021)

93   Antonio Galloni for Vinous
“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 The brooding tannins that once penalized this wine have been replaced by a great sense of finesse, and 2018 was just the first vintage.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.” (3/2021)