2023 Château Belair-Monange

The 2023 Bélair-Monange was picked September 11 to 29 at around 45hL/ha. It has a very intense, very well-defined bouquet: black cherries, mulberry and light iodine mixed with estuarine scents—scintillas of kelp and oyster shell in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very fresh and animated. Focused and mineral-driven, the 2023 has one of the most refined finishes that you'll find on the Right Bank this year. This is a very strong follow-up to the 2022 and it may even surpass it, though this is cut from a very different cloth insofar that it is unapologetically more classic in style.

- Neal Martin (04/2024)

A bright and finely crafted red with blackberry, blueberry, limestone, violet and crushed stone aromas. It’s medium-bodied with very silky tannins and a salty and minerally aftertaste that’s refined and fascinating. A hint of flowers at the end. This shows the true character of the diverse vineyards of this estate. 98% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Still tight. Give it two or three years. Best after 2028. (12/2025)

The Grand Vin 2023 Château Belair-Monange checks in as mostly Merlot sourced from a mix of both the upper limestone plateau and hillside parcels. It's a richer, more powerful Saint-Emilion offering ample red and black fruits as well as some spicy herbs, tobacco, and chocolatey nuances, with ample background minerality. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has a plush, layered mouthfeel and ripe tannins. It's one of the more concentrated 2023s in the vintage. (05/2024)

The 2023 Belair-Monange, 100% Merlot, is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a few moments of patient swirling to allow delicate notes of warm black cherries, plum preserves, and raspberry coulis to emerge, followed by alluring hints of iris, cinnamon stick, and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with tightly wound red and black berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. This is breathtakingly gorgeous! (05/2024)

Lovely cassis and gently mulled plum fruit is infused with red tea, incense and mesquite. Sleek and velvety in feel, with a suave finish that lets in a subtle savory echo as chalky minerality stays deeply buried. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2040.—J.M. (01/2026)