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2018 Bellevue

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Critic Reviews

Made of 100% Merlot, the 2018 Bellevue has a deep garnet-purple color and a profound nose of plum preserves, blackberry compote and stewed black cherries, followed by an undercurrent of cedar chest, violets, aniseed and iron ore with a touch of garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate packs the mouth with wonderfully energetic black fruits and a lively backbone, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.

Bellevue is the pretty little vineyard poised just above Château Angelus in Saint-Émilion. The soils here are clay/limestone, and it is planted to 100% Merlot.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RP
The 2018 Bellevue has a gorgeous bouquet of copious red berry fruit, crushed rock, rose petals and cedar scents that gain intensity with aeration. The fresh, vibrant palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, perfect acidity, precise mineral drive and a classy finish. This is a superb Bellevue that lives up to its promise from barrel.

Vinous Media | 93 VM
Lots of red and blue fruits, violets, orange blossom, and more exotic notes emerge from the 2018 Château Bellevue. Medium to full-bodied, it offers beautiful purity, ripe tannins, and a good spine of acidity that keeps everything fresh and vibrant. Beautifully done, it will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for upwards of 15 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JD
There is clear austerity on the approach, with the fruit pulling inwards through the mid-palate before widening out. It has an impressive texture with fleshy plum and ripe red apple fruit. You can feel the softness of the tannins, gently laying in wait, and this gets pretty big on the juicy, seductive finish, where there’s a ton of liquorice to fall into. An organically-certified estate owned by the de Bouard family. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040.

Decanter | 93 DEC

Wine Details for 2018 Bellevue

Type of Wine Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.

Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.


Region Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice.

The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion Right Bank
Appellation Saint Emilion

Overview

Producer Chateau Bellevue : The old adage suggests that fine wine only gets better with time. The same can be said of the quality of production at Chateau Bellevue. This Right Bank property, coined the Petrus of Saint Emilion, has experienced a 21st century rebirth. Bellevue is in possession of some of the greatest terroir in the appellation. Interestingly, the estate has ties to the Ancient Romans who understood the importance of the soil and exploited its qualities while first cultivating the land in the 4th century.

Staring with the 2000 vintage, Bellevue has experienced a complete turnaround in quality, presentation and reputation. The dynamic and rock star duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derencourt were hired to help elevate the quality of wine deserving of its grand terroir. These world-renown Bordeaux consultants brought with them a positively charged attitude and understanding of terroir. Thienpont, whose family were the first to recognize the potential in the outlying hills of the Saint Emilion area, needs no introduction; the Thienpont name is synonymous is success. Derencourt, with his exceptional understanding of terroir, reinforced the idea that wine should be a reflection of its origin. He insists, “Humankind comes and goes but soil remains…” which couldn’t be more fitting for Chateau Bellevue. The 2000 vintage was the first in ages showing how good Bellevue could be.

The estate’s path towards greatness would widen when Hubert de Bouard purchased a 50% stake and was handed the reins. The new shot-caller was no novice in resurrecting properties. He successfully transformed the property of Chateau Angelus, which prior to his arrival was underperforming and undeserving of it tremendous terroir. He instituted top to bottom renovations for the wine-making facilities, chateau and vineyards of Chateau Bellevue. These changes breathed life into the estate, reviving its reputation. The revival became evident on the label itself, which was updated to represent the changes in the vineyard and chateau.

The 6-hectare vineyard is located on the Saint Emilion Plateau and thrives in ancient terroir composed of clay and limestone soils. Ancient Roman ruins are found throughout the soil; evidence of their contribution to not only Bellevue but to the entire appellation. The ruins are protected by French law and cannot be disturbed, making it difficult to plant in certain areas. The vineyard is planted to 100% Merlot which thrives in its natural landscape. The limestone caverns beneath the chateau and vineyard testify to the estate’s antiquity.

Production for Chateau Bellevue is quite limited at 1,500 cases annually. The wine will reveal its true potential after 8-10 years of bottling and will reach its peak maturity between 10-22 years after the vintage. The estate produces a second wine named La Caze Bellevue.

Chateau Bellevue is a testament to the cognizant ideal of Stephane Derencourt, “Establishing an ethos for wine production adapted to the vineyard itself enables the grower to produce grapes capable of revealing true character, unique wines that recount their history.”

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