Château Bellefont-Belcier 2020

Fascinating aromas of plums, peaches, lavender, violets, and other flowers. Hints of fresh herbs, too. So complex. Full-bodied yet so elegant and polished with a curated and focused palate. Hints of chocolate at the end. It’s so subtle and complex. Weightless on the palate. About 30% was aged in 30 hectoliter casks. 72% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon.

A rocking wine based on 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Château Bellefont-Belcier sports a dense purple color as well as gorgeous black cherry and currant fruits, classic chalky Saint-Emilion minerality, violets, and camphor notes. A rich, medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion, it's concentrated, with ripe tannins and a great finish. This ripe, sexy, yet still classic Saint-Emilion will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and have 20-25 years of longevity.

Sappy, deeply fruited, blackberry and bilberry with subtle juice and smoke running through it. Very much back on the right road for this estate under the Peter Kwok team, with Jean-Christophe Meyrou director and the excellent Jerome Aguirre as winemaker. The toasted black coffee finish is well judged, adding to the savoury and enjoyable feel. 30% new oak. A yield of 37hl/ha, 3.65pH. Drinking Window 2027-2040

The 2020 Bellefont Belcier is a terrific follow up to the excellent 2019. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, licorice, bay leaf and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and refined, with lovely depth at the core, vibrant acids and a long, chalky finish. It's great to see one of Saint-Émilion's sleeping giants awakening.