Chateau Bellevue, Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé, France

Château Bellevue is one of the most respected Grand Cru Classé estates in the prestigious Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux. Set on the famous limestone plateau overlooking the medieval village, the estate enjoys an exceptional terroir of clay-limestone soils that is planted exclusively with 100% Merlot. This singular focus on Merlot produces wines renowned for their elegance, silky texture, rich dark fruit flavours, mineral freshness, and remarkable ageing potential. The wines are hand-harvested, aged for 16–20 months in French oak barrels, and produced in limited quantities of around 20,000 bottles each year.

The estate has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. Today, Château Bellevue is owned by the Pradel de Lavaux family, who have preserved its heritage while continually improving quality. Since 2000, the vineyard has benefited from the expertise of renowned estate manager Nicolas Thienpont and celebrated consulting winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt, whose work helped refine vineyard practices and winemaking. Between 2007 and 2022, the neighbouring Château Angélus collaborated closely in managing the vineyard and cellar, further enhancing the estate's reputation. Today, Axel Pradel de Lavaux leads the property, continuing the family's commitment to producing wines that express the purity and character of one of Saint-Émilion's finest terroirs.