2017 Château Belle-Vue
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Tasting notes
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Belle-Vue features warm plums, baked blackcurrants and charcoal scents with dried herbs, tobacco, fertile earth and crushed rocks in the background. The medium-bodied palate has a firm, chewy texture and lovely freshness with just enough earth-laced black fruits, finishing a tad rough and rugged.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Chateau Belle-Vue is a juicy, charming effort that has an almost Margaux-like character in its juicy berry fruits, tobacco, and floral aromas and flavors. Playing in the medium-bodied, charming, forward end of the spectrum, drink it over the coming decade or so. The blend here is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Petit Verdot, brought up in 30% new French oak.
The nose here has very fresh, ripe summer berries and a rich, deeply intense sense of purity, as well as some leafy notes. The palate has a very rich and smoothly succulent feel with seamless tannins and a very long, rich and deeply fruited finish. Drink or hold.
Very dark, black core and purple rim. Dense, dark and black fruited on the nose. Pure cassis. Surprisingly smooth texture after the intensity of the aroma. Moderate depth with the tannins and the fruit all tied up together promising a good future. Just enough freshness to be in balance. (JH)