Château Bellevue : Coffret Merlot & Calcaire de Saint-Émilion en 6 accords mets & vins prêts à boire

The indulgent expression of merlot through 6 vintages of a great wine from Saint-Émilion

The Estate

The Château Bellevue, located in Saint-Émilion, is a wine estate founded in the 17th century. Today, it is managed by the Pradel de Lavaux and Boüard de Laforest families. Close to Château Angélus, this Grand Cru Classé de Bordeaux stands out for its exceptional terroir and rigorous viticultural practices.

The Vineyard

Château Bellevue covers 3 perfectly homogeneous hectares on the east, south and south-west slopes of Saint-Émilion. The clay-limestone soils give the wine its characteristic minerality. The vines are on average 40 years old.

The Wine

Château Bellevue unveils its latest innovation, the coffret « merlot et calcaire de Saint-Émilion en 6 accords mets & vins prêts à boire », which reveals through a selection of six vintages (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) both the identity and the aromatic richness of a unique grape variety, merlot.

2012
The 2012 vintage, which began with a mild and moderately rainy spring, then experienced a summer of intense heat and almost no rain. The result is a rich and expressive wine, with oregano, truffle and sun-dried tomato notes on the nose. The palate, broad and caressing, rests on chalky tannins, while a subtle saline note on the finish extends the pleasure. Perfect for enhancing a roast beef fillet, this wine pairs wonderfully with a sweet potato mousseline and glazed root vegetables.

2013
A cool, very rainy spring was followed by an unstable summer with irregular rainfall. Despite these conditions, 2013 combines lightness with invigorating freshness. On the nose, it reveals spicy notes of Espelette pepper, sun-dried tomato and hay. The palate is distinguished by its silky texture and remarkably fine tannins, while subtle hints of bitter orange peel underline the natural liveliness of this vintage. Ideal to accompany chicken supremes stuffed with mushrooms and ricotta, topped with a creamy parsnip purée.

2014
The 2014 vintage, elegantly refined, unfolded in a classic style with optimal ripeness achieved during a cool, ocean-influenced summer, pushing the harvest to a later period. On the nose, it displays toasty and graphite notes mixed with the fruity sweetness of crushed strawberries and the zesty freshness of blood orange. The palate is distinguished by its careful oak aromas and assertive tannins, which create a perfectly balanced structure. A lingering scent of blackcurrant adds an indulgent touch and supports the finish. Perfect for elevating a grilled rib of beef, accompanied by a truffle oil mashed potato and thyme-roasted vegetables.

2015
The 2015 vintage, soaked in generous sunshine, allowed the merlots to reach optimal ripeness before harvest. On the nose, this wine seduces with its indulgent, fruity character, revealing aromas of rum, ripe grape and vanilla. The attack on the palate is smooth, initially dominated by dark fruits, then evolving with grace, suppleness and freshness, in a beautiful amplitude. An elegant acid backbone and harmonious tannins structure the whole, while a final touch of crushed strawberries elevates the tasting. Ideal for accompanying a roast duck breast, served with sweet potato purée and a fig sauce.

2016
The 2016 vintage, benefiting from a cool and humid summer and late ripening, developed a perfect harmony between fruit sweetness and aromatic intensity. On the nose, it is very expressive, combining generous notes of ripe fruit and creamy nuances, lifted by pleasant freshness. The attack, frank and broad, gives way to round, silky tannins, supported by a graceful acid thread. Then, gooseberry aromas unfold before yielding to a remarkably long finish. This wine will ideally flourish alongside a roasted rack of veal, creamy Parmesan polenta and a rosemary-reduced jus.

2017
The 2017 vintage, spared from spring frost, reveals itself above all as a perfect expression of its terroir, supported by a temperate climate. On the nose, it offers a bouquet of fresh fruits enhanced by notes of blackcurrant and raspberry. The savory attack quickly gives way to a finely structured palate with vibrant freshness, before ending on a taut finish, yet soft and elegant. This vintage pairs ideally with a pan-seared veal steak, accompanied by a parsnip purée and a short cassis jus.