Chateau Bellegrave Pauillac 2020

Alcohol: 15%

Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Localization: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Tasting Notes: Chateau Bellegrave is round, concentrated, and well-balanced with an impressive freshness on the palate.

93 points James Suckling: Fragrant and complex nose of blackberries, cloves, pine cones and walnuts. It’s medium-bodied, elegant and refined, with firm, silky tannins. Beautifully integrated and balanced.

Food pairing: Enjoy it with a perfectly-grilled ribeye.

The Domain: Château Bellegrave is located in Pauillac in the Northern part of Bordeaux. It is surrounded by prestigious Grand Cru Classés neighbors such as Château Latour, Château Pichon-Longueville or Château Lynch Bages. It was formerly the property of Armand Roux before it was purchased by his business partner, M. H. Van-Der-Voort in 1901. In 1997, Jean-Paul Meffre, already owner of Château du Glana and Château Lalande in Saint-Julien, purchased the estate. It is currently managed by his grandsons, Julien and Ludovic Meffre.

The vineyard is 8.75 hectares (22 acres) in size, which makes it the one of smallest properties in the appellation. The vineyard lies on composed of Garonne Gravels and the ages of the vines are 25 years in average.. At harvest, all of the grapes are hand-harvested and the yields are low. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. It is thereafter aged 12 months in 60% new French Oak before bottling. Only 2,500 cases produced annually.

This is one of the last non-classified Pauillac that is still family-owned, which makes it an incredible value to the consumer. What a discovery – it is considered a special gem in the heart of all of the Grand Crus Classés in Pauillac.