CRITIC REVIEWS
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
This perhaps somewhat controversial marriage between the estates of Chateau Belair and Chateau Magdelaine—both Premier Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion estates—to form Chateau Bélair Monange hits pay-dirt with this spectacular 2015 release. Composed of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Belair Monange has the most singular nose of grilled meats, smoked game, iron ore and fallen leaves over a slowly unfurling ripe fruit core of crushed black plums, blackberry preserves and cassis with fragrant touches of star anise and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate reveals an arresting backbone of exquisitely ripe, very firm tannins and sparks of background acidity lifting and defining the rich, densely packed layers, culminating in an epically long and multifaceted finish. Possessing its own compellingly beautiful signature, this is a remarkably riveting wine that should not be missed.
Neal Martin
The 2015 Belair Monange is definitely one of the most impressive wines from Saint-Émilion this vintage. It has a very intense yet stylish bouquet with copious red berry fruit laced with tobacco and black truffle, almost Pomerol-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with layers of plush red fruit, graphite, white pepper and a discrete smear of dark chocolate. It fans out beautifully on the finish, a very seductive temptress of a wine that is going to give a lot of pleasure over many years.