2016 Château Belgrave

The 2016 Belgrave feels a little flabby on the nose compared to its peers, coming across quite earthy in style, open-knit but needing more attack. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, and rather hard on the midpalate, with a brusque finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

- Neal Martin (01/2020)

Solid, with plum and black currant notes forming the core, framed by a tobacco accent and backed by light iron and alder details on the finish. A textbook Haut-Médoc.

- J.M. (2019)

The 2016 Belgrave is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot and was picked from 28 September until 20 October. It has a generous bouquet with small dark cherries, blueberry and crushed violet aromas, quite Margaux-like in style. There is certainly good intensity here. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple opening: blackberry, mint and cedar. From the start there is fine tension and there is very impressive structure towards the finish, plus a long saline aftertaste. This is a very strong follow-up to the 2015 Belgrave and indeed, it may surpass it.

- Neal Martin