Château Belgrave 2020

Particularly fruity and juicy, herbaceous but not dry tannins; ideal length and therefore excellent balance; pleasing.

Broad and gentle in feel, with incense, sandalwood, gently mulled plum and red cherry notes gliding through slowly, backed by a cedary twinge on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2026. 18,000 cases made, 450 cases imported.

Juicy and supple, with lovely power. Mouthwatering acidity has the slightest sweetness as well as saltiness, giving a combination of savoury, fruity notes and minerality on the palate. Tannins are prominent and coat the mouth, but they are fine and firm, giving a broad frame. It slowly expands in the mouth, building structure, yet quite gracefully. The fruit and oak feel well handled. Cool, minty fresh, with a lift on the finish. It’s charming. A pure Cabernet expression that is very drinkable with classic Médoc markers. Not trying too hard at all.

Notes of cassis and blackberries with hints of spices, dark chocolate, cedar and leafy herbs. Medium- to full-bodied with ripe and velvety tannins. It has lots of energy and vibrancy to the dark-fruited palate. It’s both structured and juicy. Really well made. Better in 2025 and onwards.

The 2020 Belgrave is a dark, brooding wine. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, cured meat and incense all run through this deep, alluring Haut-Médoc. This virile, muscular wine has a ton to offer. A whole range of savory Cabernet Sauvignon notes infuse the resonant finish with tons of character.

Round, supple, fresh and chewy, the core here is focused on its center of sweet cassis, chocolate, freshness and a vibrant finish. Drink from 2024–2038.

Deep ruby, purple reflections, brighter at the rim. Delicate tobacco and herbal spices against a background of dark wild berries, cassis and smoky notes. Medium complexity, ripe cherry fruit, good freshness, vivid, somewhat demanding tannins, mineral-salty notes, liquorice aftertaste, good freshness on the finish.

The deep purple-hued 2020 Château Belgrave is another impressive wine that shows the quality (and style) of the vintage. Darker currants, plums, smoked earth, tobacco, and chocolate all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a round, mouth-filling texture, remarkable purity, and enough building tannins to warrant 2-3 years of bottle age. This is beautifully done and well worth following for a solid 10-15 years.

Extremely dark purple with an opaque core. A delicate touch of reduction is noticeable, which dissipates with air; wild cherry and sloe jelly, with Brazilian tobacco and dark precious wood in the background. On the firm palate, the tannins sink into the flesh, a finely crumbly wealth of extract, an untamed, wild body. In the focused, highly concentrated finish, the giant explodes and ends with small crushed berries, lots of dark graphite and deep-seated astringency; once it has digested this, a higher score is within reach!

Kunz barrel sample 2021: dense, elegant, fresh bouquet of black berries, cassis, black currant, black truffle, noble woods, delicate licorice. Dense, multi-layered, elegant palate with plenty of fine tannins, creamy dark fruit, finely concentrated structure, and a long, fresh, elegant finish.

Dense, elegant, fresh bouquet of black fruit: cassis, black currant, black truffle, fine woods, delicate licorice. Dense, layered, elegant palate with plenty of fine tannins, creamy dark fruit, finely concentrated structure, long, fresh, elegant finish. 18/20 2027 - 2048

Inky colour, liquorice punch on the opening beat with sleek redcurrant, cassis, damson and blueberry fruit, good weight with character and lift. This is excellent, thoroughly enjoyable, and a clear upgrade for me from En Primeur. 30% new oak for ageing. 59ha estate from Dourthe Vignobles.

The 2020 Belgrave is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with notes of dried herbs and mossy tree bark over a core of cassis, warm black plums, and charcoal. The medium-bodied palate is rugged and chewy, with a lively backbone and a lifted finish.

91-92

Belgrave reveals itself with subtlety and complexity. It opens with graphite notes and gradually unfolds to reveal raspberry and blackberry nuances. The palate shows good density, everything in balance. There is breadth and power, of course, but also freshness and finesse. The tannins are fine-grained, complemented by a structuring acidity that brings pep to the whole palate. Once again, Belgrave performs… we’re getting used to it 😉

Dark, intense, purplish color. Moderately aromatic, fruity nose. Fruity, flavorful palate with a supple body, no hard edges, and a medium-length finish. Blend: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot.

A nose marked by restraint and classicism, pointing more to a dense structure than to exuberant aromatics. Straightforwardness, balance, fine notes of mocha and roast, supple tannins and elegant ageing. Haut-Médoc glances toward Saint-Julien; this is a serious, discreet wine that fully owns its style.

92–94. Barrel Sample. This wine has a soft profile initially. Only slowly, the tannins kick in to give some impressive structure to the black currant fruits. The wine's acidity and slightly austere texture will stand it in good stead as it ages.