When we talk about iconic wines, we're naturally talking about Chateau Belgrave from the Haut Médoc wine region. This beautiful, classic winery is classified as a 5th Grand Cru Classé from 1855. And that's only fair value for the very best wines from France. But that didn't happen by chance, as Chateau Belgrave has acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge about the rich soil structures and the planting of grape varieties. The winery was originally a highly reputed hunting lodge, which, under the leadership of Louis XV, expanded with several vineyards. The designation "Bellegrave" first appeared in 1845, when Bruno Devès, a Bordeaux merchant, renovated the estate and began improving viticulture on the best gravel terroirs. He renovated the vineyards and converted a new winery into a magnificent residence, turning the hunting lodge into a beautiful home. This remains the case today, and the wines have been classified as a 5th Grand Cru Classé since 1855. We can certainly call it unique!
Wood aging for the Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc
Since 1979, the grand winery has belonged to the Dourthe family. And they are no strangers to top French wines. Chateau Belgrave boasts 59 hectares of vineyards spread across the Haut Médoc wine region. The soil structure consists primarily of pebbles, clay, and limestone, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot grape varieties to thrive. This red wine is three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, giving its signature to this powerful red wine. All the grapes grow in a perfect climate where the sun can do its work and the fresh breeze from the Gironde River provides the necessary cooling. The river has a significant influence on the wines from the Haut Médoc, creating strong soil structures and providing the harvest with everything it needs. All the grapes are harvested by hand, a very demanding task. Only the finest grapes are carefully selected, setting the tone for this red Château Belgrave from the very first moment: pure, clean, and powerful.
Full and very powerful this Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc
The grapes are pressed and crushed, after which this red wine ages for a full twelve months in oak barrels. Approximately 35 percent of the barrels used are unused, which gives this red wine greater strength and suppleness. As owner Frédéric Bonnaffous says, there's no finer or more classic Haut Médoc. We agree with him, and the celebration begins the moment we open the bottle. As soon as the cork is removed, it gives us a warm sensation of black fruit with light spices and hints of tobacco and cedar. Pouring this wine warms us, and the black color indicates that this is a wine we will never forget. Aromas of spices, black fruit, cocoa, vanilla, and cedar. On the palate, a very warm wine with plenty of diversity, a richness of black fruit accompanied by light spices like pepper, cloves, and bay leaf. The finish offers rich, rich notes of chocolate, plums, and berries. What a celebration, a wine we will remember for a long time.
2019
