The Chateau Belair 2007 St Emilion Grand Cru Classe is a wine with a distinct character. It has a deep, ruby colour with a medium rim. Initially, it had a subtle aroma of red fruit, but after about an hour, it revealed a captivating blend of dark berries, black cherries, dry violets, and mint aromas. Surprisingly, these fruity and floral notes harmonized well with complex tones of salt, lead pencil, truffle, spice, and mushrooms. The palate reflects the nose, showing tannins and a slightly lifted acidity in the finish, likely due to the cooler and rainy 2007 vintage. It has a reasonably good fruit length on the palate, typical of a St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe. The bouquet took some time to develop fully in the decanter. It is rated DD91.
In the Dubois-Challon, where this 2007 Chateau Belair bottle came from, with in-to-neck level, is a testament to its exceptional quality and longevity. This wine has aged gracefully, maintaining its unique characteristics and offering an excellent wine experience. The limestone from the central plateau parcels contributes to this 2007 Belair's freshness, minerality, and delicate, lingering aromatics. Simultaneously, the dense, blue clay of the slopes provides intensity, length, and a unique elegance to the wine. The composition is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, contributing to its remarkable nose and taste profile.
There is a scarcity of information about this wine, making it a true hidden gem. I recall stumbling upon a passage in an old-fashioned book on Bordeaux Chateaux by Robert Parker that this Belair is crafted in the traditional old style. The fruit from Belair of his period is always shy in red fruit. Still, the palate profile, mainly tertiary, constantly forms from a unique blend of dry tobacco, leather, tar, tea, mushroom, and minerality, a style reminiscent of a wine from a dirty, damp cellar.
Tracing its origins back to ancient Roman times, the vineyard of Château Bélair is not just a wine producer but a living testament to history. Isymbolizeses endurance and excellence, situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion's famed limestone plateau. In 1952, Belair's acquisition of the contiguous cru, Château Magdelaine, renowned for the remarkable elegance of its wines, eventually formed Château Bélair-Monange. Château Bélair-Monange expresses the unique style of the most outstanding parcels of these two complementary terroirs, carrying forward a legacy that spans centuries.
Of course, this Belair 2007 will be entirely different in style from the later Belair Monange started by JP Meuix. Belair's distinctive, almost historical profile sets this wine apart and makes it a must-try for any wine enthusiast. Our perspective differs from many others, such as Robert Parke, as we appreciate this wine's unique characteristics and the story it tells through its taste and aroma.
Updated: Aug 26, 2024
This wine blends 70% merlot, 24% cabernet franc, and 6% cabernet sauvignon. It has a medium red-ruby colour and offers red and black cherries, liquorice, camphor, violet, and espresso aromas. On the palate, it is sweet and juicy with a good amount of vinosity and grip. The flavours of cherries, bitter chocolate, and espresso are well supported by most new oak. The wine has a firm and brisk style with enough lurking fat to support the tannins, which have been significantly tamed. The nose is more open than the palate and seems to open up a better palate.
This wine has received high scores from renowned critics and publications, reflecting its exceptional quality, balance, complexity, and potential for ageing. This makes it a highly regarded choice for collectors and connoisseurs.
Robert Parker gave it a score of 88, noting that there was a lot of oak and perhaps too much extraction. Nevertheless, he found the wine generous, structured, and with lots of depth. The 2007 vintage gives a mixed message of whether it will pull itself together or become ragged and disjointed. Time will tell.
Gilbert & Gaillard rated it 94, highlighting its velvet character, smooth and round texture, and potential for further development over the next 7 to 8 years due to its tannins and acidity.
Wine Enthusiast scored 93, noting its deep colour, dense nose, ripe fruit, a touch of chocolate, and floral undertones. The clean, full-bodied palate develops solid tannins, making it a unique and quite racy wine.
This wine is a true standout with a deep ruby hue and youthful appearance. Its pure fruit and violet reflections add a unique charm that is hard to resist. While somewhat restrained, the oak reveals hints of red berry confit and candied orange zest, adding a delightful twist. The palate has a delightful blend of sour cherries, a tannic structure, and a chocolaty finish that is a true delight. As the bottle breathes, it transforms into a medley of cassis, dark cherry fruit, and aromatic herbs, creating a unique and complex flavour profile. The fresh acidity and ripe tannins create a balanced, lingering taste that is hard to forget. This wine has the potential to age beautifully, promising even more refinement with time.
The wine has received favourable scores, with the highest rating of 92 from the esteemed Wine Enthusiast. Their review is summarized as follows:
This estate, part of the same family that owns the esteemed Château Pontet-Canet, is continuously improving. The 2013 vintage is a testament to this: its ripe fruit, delicious acidity, and a firm, dry backdrop of solid tannins. It's a wine meant to be savoured, and we recommend enjoying it from 2020 onwards.
