Chateau Bellefont Belcier St Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2022
Country: France Region: Bordeaux (Saint-Emilion)
Varietal: Merlot 72%, Cabernet Franc 18%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%
Vintage: 2022 Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Château Bellefont-Belcier
Description:
The Estate:
Château Bellefont-Belcier was bought in 1889 by the Faure family who, through their innovation and hard work, made this estate into one of the jewels of the Bordeaux region. In 1994, it became the property of BJL & Partenaires, opening a new chapter in the life of this Grand Cru Classé, whose facilities were modernized. Château Bellefont-Belcier has passed through several hands in recent years before joining the Vignobles K of Hong Kong's Peter Kwok in 2017. Today, it is recognized for producing deeply coloured, finely structured wines that capture the elegance and mineral tension of the appellation’s best sites, and it is increasingly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts looking for high-quality Saint-Émilion at still reasonable prices.
The vineyard:
Around twenty hectares in total, the vineyard of Château Bellefont-Belcier, Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Emilion in the Bordeaux region, extends over a clay-limestone hillside and molasse de Fronsadais soils.
Ageing Potential: Enjoyable in its youth with some aeration, it has the structure and balance to age gracefully for 10–20 years, gaining complexity and silkiness over time.
James Suckling
97-98/100 pts
"Blackberry, iron, hazelnut, crushed stone, hints of salt and spice. Medium to full body. Fresh and vivid. Very sophisticated and classy. The tannins are silky and so fine, but then it opens up at the end of the palate."
Wine Advocate
95/100 pts
"This estate's renaissance continues, and the 2022 Bellefont Belcier is both the finest and most elegant wine that the team has produced today. Mingling aromas of plums and sweet berries with notions of rose petals and bay leaf, it's medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a suave, seamless profile."
Tasting Note:
In the glass, the 2022 Bellefont-Belcier shows a deep, opaque ruby-purple hue, signalling both concentration and youth. The nose opens with ripe black cherries, cassis, and plums, followed by layers of violets, graphite, and cocoa, with subtle notes of cedar, baking spices, and a hint of liquorice. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, richly textured Saint-Émilion with a core of dark fruit—blackberry, black cherry, and mulberry—wrapped in fine-grained tannins. A lively thread of minerality, typical of the estate’s limestone terroir, brings lift and precision, while well-integrated oak adds notes of mocha, vanilla, and sweet spice without overpowering the fruit. The finish is long and persistent, with a savoury, slightly saline edge that keeps it fresh despite the wine’s generosity.
Food Matches: This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a superb match for classic dishes such as roast lamb, duck breast, beef tenderloin, or braised short ribs, as well as richer poultry preparations with truffle or wild mushrooms. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses, such as Comté or matured Gouda, and earthy vegetarian dishes featuring lentils, eggplant, or roasted root vegetables.
