Belair-Monange 2017

Inky crimson. Cassis dominates the nose. Tannins are so supple already and the whole is caressing and gorgeous even with the Moueix 'house style' of dark, minerally restraint. Lovely long, dry finish. Drink 2024-2035

The nose has a mix of fresh black fruits the start of the palate layers of flavour bramble and bilberry backed by spicy red fruits. There is mid sweetness more depth of flavour the ripe fruit giving richness on the finish. 2025-37

The amplitude of aroma on the nose is astounding. It is 90% fruit and 10% oak, unlike virtually all of its contemporaries. This richness and depth of plum, mulberry and cherry builds on the palate to a crescendo. Everything is in place and the tannins stand to attention like ranks of soldiers on parade. The fruit is in control of every aspect of this wine and there is freshness, even a touch of mint bringing levity, to puncture the core with complexity. Perfectly balanced and with decades ahead of it, this is an impeccable 2017 and it is going to drink within ten years, such is its grace and polish.

Made of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Belair Monange is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. With a little swirling, this baby comes bounding out of the glass with energetic notes of wild blueberries, Morello cherries, baked plums and black raspberries with wafts of Indian spices, lavender, garrigue and tobacco plus a hint of licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the black and blue fruit dance playfully on the palate with fantastic freshness to lift the bold flavors and a superb frame of ripe, velvety tannins. It finishes very long and with amazing zing. So tempting to drink now, but make no mistake—this is one for the long haul! 2024 - 2070

The 2017 Bélair-Monange is fast-becoming the jewel in the crown of J-P Moueix, and also the home of Edouard Moueix and his family. It has a very perfumed and winsome bouquet, so pure and delineated with crystalline red cherries, crushed strawberry and very subtle cassis scents that are sutured with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. Tensile from the start, this Bélair-Monange conveys a sense of tension and energy that lingers on the aftertaste, a touch of white pepper leaving the tongue tingling 30 seconds after it has departed. This is an assured, and bewitching Saint-Émilion, one that is really beginning to fire on all cylinders. Drink 2023 - 2045.

A compacted and seamless young wine with ripe and fine tannins, focused dark fruit and a flavorful finish. A beauty.

A final blend of 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Belair Monange has a flamboyant nose of potpourri, Indian spices, Sichuan pepper, hoisin and sandalwood over a core of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry preserves with a waft of dusty earth. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and seductive with oodles of freshness and layers of floral and spice notions, finishing long.