Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 98
Made of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Belair Monange is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. With a little swirling, this baby comes bounding out of the glass with energetic notes of wild blueberries, Morello cherries, baked plums and black raspberries with wafts of Indian spices, lavender, garrigue and tobacco plus a hint of licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the black and blue fruit dance playfully on the palate with fantastic freshness to lift the bold flavors and a superb frame of ripe, velvety tannins. It finishes very long and with amazing zing. So tempting to drink now, but make no mistake—this is one for the long haul!
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2070
JancisRobinson.com 18
Tasted blind. Mid ruby colour. Reticent, very tightly wound on the nose. Structured too on the palate. A tightly wound core of fruit is enveloped by chewy but highly refined tannins. Driven and compact, there is superb structure here that is currently hard to penetrate. The flourish of hedgerow fruit and dark cherries intermingling with layers of spice suggests real potential to come. (TP)
Anticipated maturity: 2027-2040
