2020 Bélair-Monange, Saint-Emilion

Tasting Note

Wine Advocate: 95-97
The 2020 Bélair-Monange displays an opaque purple-black color, unfurling slowly to reveal a nose of blueberry preserves, stewed plums and Morello cherries, giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of Chinese five spice, incense and dried rose petals, plus hints of fallen leaves, Sichuan pepper and oolong tea. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a fantastically plush texture with mouth-coating black and blue fruits and loads of exotic spice sparks, gently lifted by soft acidity, finishing long and fragrant.

Neal Martin: 95-97
The 2020 Bélair-Monange continues its impressive run of form under the JP Moueix family, having rapidly ascended to the highest rank within the Saint-Émilion appellation. This latest release is another stunning articulation of its propitious terroir, which lies adjacent to Ausone. You could lose yourself in the kaleidoscope of aromas: black cherries, Dorset plum, crushed stone, violet and background pencil box, beautifully defined and growing in intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins and quite firm (maybe a tad more than I anticipated), displaying fine grip. This is a strict yet utterly compelling Bélair-Monange with wonderful salinity coming through toward the finish. There is a lot of substance to this wine and it is perhaps less immediate than other recent vintages, indicating that it may require long-term cellaring. Outstanding.

Antonio Galloni: 95-97
The 2020 Bélair-Monange is exceptional. A bold, dramatic wine, the 2020 hits all the senses with layers of intense dark fruit, chocolate, cake, spice, leather and espresso. In some vintages, I have felt Bélair-Monange to be perhaps just a bit pushed in terms of ripeness. The 2020 has plenty of richness, but also more than enough energy to provide balance. Clean, mineral underpinnings extend the persistent finish beautifully. I expect the 2020 will reward readers with several decades of thrilling drinking.