St. Emilion Chateau Bellevue Chateau Bellevue 17 Fief de Bellevue 1930 de Conink Pradel de Lavaux Hubert de Bouard

98% Merlot 2% Cabernet Franc40 Cabernet Franc MerlotSt. Emilion Merlot Chateau Bellevue

AOC St. Emilion Grand Cru

Merlot, Cabernet Franc

2009 40% -100% 100%126

2008 :

2011 :
2011Chteau Bellevue10-15

Chateau Bellevue in St. Emilion is known to have great terroir. The ancient Romans were aware of this. In fact, when walking the vineyards, its easy to spot remains of the original plantings left by ancient Roman vintners. The modern era of Chateau Bellevue begins in the 17th century. At that time, the Fief de Bellevue, became the owner. As was the custom of the day, he renamed the Bordeaux vineyard using his name. Chateau Bellevue hands in the 1930s when it was purchased by the day the de Conink family along with the Pradel de Lavaux family as a joint venture. Now it was owned by Hubert de Bouard.

The Bordeaux vineyard of Chateau Bellevue, with its clay and limestone soil is planted to 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc with vines that average 40 years of age. Previously, the estate had a lot more Cabernet Franc planted in the vineyards. But that has been removed in favour of Merlot. Chateau Bellevue maintains one of the highest planting of Merlot in St. Emilion. The ancient Roman ruins found throughout the soil, make it difficult to plant in some areas, as the remains are protected by law and cannot be disturbed. However, this makes it an amazing walk through the vineyards of Chateau Bellevue, as the remains are easy to see scattered about in the Right Bank soil.

Hubert de Bouard refers to the estate as the Petrus of St. Emilion, due to its high concentration. Chateau Bellevue is a labour intensive wine to make.

Appellation:
AOC St. Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

Country of Origin:
Bordeaux, France

Type:
Red/Rouge (Still)

Soil:
Clay and limestone

Grape Varieties:
Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Vinification:
After the fruit is hand harvested from the St. Emilion vineyards, the grapes are taken to the reception area and placed on four sorting tables. Vinification of Chateau Bellevue takes place in a combination of cement and oak tanks. Each block is fermented separately. In 2009, for the first time, 40% of the wine was fermented in barrel. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 100% new oak. The wine of Chateau Bellevue is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels. Sur lies ageing takes place in barrel for the first six months.

Tasting Notes:

2008 Vintage:
Deep purplish ruby colour. Creamy blackberry, yoghurt, fig, flower, caramel, smoky and mint aromas. Concentrated flavours with layers of ripe blackberry, dense tannin, minerality and oak, modern and balanced. Obvious tannin and oak in the finish, tremendous cellaring potential.

2011 Vintage:
The 2011 boasts an opaque purple color along with copious blueberry and blackberry fruit notes interwoven with crushed rock and spring flower characteristics. Already complex with good purity, medium body, and a finish dominated by acidity as well as a chalky character, it will benefit from several years in the cellar. It should drink well for 10-15 years thereafter.(Drink date: 2017-2032)