Château Bélair, which traces its origins back to Roman times, has long been considered one of the region’s very best crus. Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix purchased the iconic Château in 2008 and renamed it Château Bélair-Monange. The name ‘Monange,’ in addition to its literal translation, ‘my angel,’ was the maiden name of Jean-Pierre Moueix’s mother, Anne-Adèle, the first Moueix woman to call Saint-Émilion her home.
Château Bélair-Monange combines the terroirs of the most privileged sites of the appellation: the limestone from the central plateau parcels, situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion, offers freshness, minerality, and delicate, lingering aromatics, while the dense, blue clay of the south slopes provides intensity, length, and a unique elegance to the wines.
An important restructuring of the vineyard was initiated in 2008 immediately following the acquisition of the estate. Another wine embodying the inherent qualities of the vineyard – minerality, concentration of red berries, balance and length – subsequently emerged: ANNONCE DE BÉLAIR-MONANGE.
Produced in very limited quantities since the 2014 vintage, Annonce enjoys the same attention as the Grand Vin: meticulous vineyard work undertaken with respect for the environment followed by a manual harvest once the grapes have reached optimal maturity. Vinification takes place in concrete and stainless-steel vats, where maceration and extraction are gentle and measured in order to allow the fruit its highest expression. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels.
Although Annonce exhibits great charm in its youth, a few years of cellaring or a few hours of decanting will be largely rewarded.
Mineral black fruit on the nose, spiced, ripe, intense, some ripe plum fruit too, but definitely not opulent leading to a palate of ripe black fruits, smooth on entry, supple with huge yet very ripe tannins behind, lovely finesse and elegance. Great poise going to a fabulously long, evolving, ripe finish. Wow. Starts quietly and builds to a finale.
"It's hard to believe that this is a second wine and it would certainly stand up confidently against many grand vins, even in this excellent quality vintage. More serious than the 2015, it has more depth to its dark fruits with swirls of liquorice and smoke adding interest to the finish. I would give it a few years before opening - although it tasted great when this same bottle was tried again after 48 hours - and it has real potential for ageing. The definition of an insider wine and definitely worth getting hold of. 30% new oak. Drink 2021 - 2027" Jane Anson, Decanter.com
