Chateau Bellefont-Belcier – Classified Great Growth of Saint-Emilion

Saint Emilion Grand Cru AOC

The name of Chateau Bellefont-Belcier means ‘Beautiful Fountain’ and is derived from the many springs on this clay-limestone hillside. In the 19th century, the Château came into the hands of the Faure family. They were very modern for their times and designed the famous circular vathouse set into the hillside with its gravity-driven harvest reception system. It has been kept intact since its construction and is one of the jewels of the estate today. In 1993, major restructuring work was undertaken in the vineyard and production facilities. The aim was to elevate Bellefont-Belcier wine to the heights of its exceptional terroir and to develop its brand on the world stage. After many years of hard work, in 2006, Château Bellefont-Belcier was awarded the title of Grand Cru Classé. In 2012, the castle consolidated its status as a Grand Cru Classé and reaffirmed its determination to stand among its appellation’s elite.

Grape Variety:

68% Merlot – 20% Cabernet-Franc – 12% Cabernet-Sauvignon

Vineyard:

The ‘Bellefont’ vineyard enjoys an ideal position on the southern slopes of Saint-Emilion made of clay-limestone, alongside of Châteaux Pavie and Larcis Ducasse. The vines undergo different vine-growing techniques such as base bud removing or double thinning by hand, which allow the plant to provide quality grapes. The 33-acres vineyards is harvest by hand with small trays in October.

Winemaking:

Before being sort twice, first with a sorting table and then on a vibrating table, the harvest had been settle on night in a cold room and transferred into the winery by gravity. The fermentation starts by adding natural yeast to the juice, in both small wooden and concrete vats. After a Malolactic fermentation in barrels, 80% of the wine aged in new barrels and the rest in used ones.

Tasting Note:

The wine has a deep garnet color with purple highlights and confers a loads of black and red fruits on the nose such as red current and raspberry alongside floral notes. Medium to full-bodied palate with packed blackberry and black currents flavors, slightly enhanced by cocoa and black truffle hints. Chewy and complexe the mouth is very well balanced by firm but still silky tannins that last on a elegant earthy finish.

Food Pairing:

This great wine will go perfectly with a beef stew or a candied duck.

Rating:

Vintage 2015: 95 Points James Suckling