2016 Bellevue, St-Emilion (375ml)

“A dense and layered red with ripe plums and blueberries, as well as hints of wet earth and moss. Full-bodied, velvety and layered with fantastic fruit and creamy, velvety tannins. Plush and deep. Great wine.” (01/2019)

“The 2016 Bellevue is deep garnet in color. It rolls out with open-knit notes of baked black plums, boysenberry preserves, and forest floor, plus hints of Christmas cake and cast-iron pan with a waft of wild thyme. The full-bodied palate is bursting with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. (LPB)” (12/2022)

“Made by the same team as Angélus, this is 100% Merlot aged in 100% new oak. One-third underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, the other two-thirds in tank, the total time in barrel 16 months. It was bottled in June 2018. It has a salty red-cherry nose, laced with smoky notes of vanilla. There follows a beautifully seductive character on the palate, which is finely textured, with a supple weight of black cherry and black olive fruits, and a firm bed of tannins lying beneath. It is rich, polished, not fat but certainly sumptuous, with a sinewy and taut structure. The tannins are very fine, appearing only in the finish, giving it a long and gripped length. A very cool but welcoming style.” (12/2018)

“Made from 100% Merlot and cooler limestone and clay soils, the 2016 Château Bellevue shows a beautiful minerality and freshness in its black raspberry, crushed rocks, graphite, and dried flower aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied, focused, and precise on the palate, with fine yet certainly present tannins. Give this beauty 3-5 years and it will cruise for two decades.” (02/2019)

“There is a lovely creamy texture to this wine, joined by attractive spice notes. It's ripe but not overly so, showing good persistency and juicy fruit that fills out the tannins. Organically farmed. (JA)” (10/2018)

“The 2016 Bellevue is dense and powerful, but also quite reticent following its bottling this past June. Dark and virile, the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. The intensity and volume the wine showed en primeur are very much in evidence, but also presently enshrouded by a wall of potent tannins. Gravel, smoke, game, leather and tobacco give the 2016 much of its savory character. I loved Bellevue from barrel, but it is far less showy from bottle. (AG) 93+” (12/2018)

“Lush and inviting, with warm cassis and plum sauce flavors that glide through, laced with anise and rooibos tea hints while sweet toast and wood spice notes stays nicely buried through the finish. A delicious, fruit-driven example. (JM)” (03/2019)

“This wine offers intensity and concentration. If it is one-dimensional it also has layers of acidity, tannins and juicy freshness that are immediately delectable. (RV)” (05/2019)