Château Bellefont-Belcier St. Emilion 2005

wa92-94ws89-91

BN#199900

Wine Advocate

I was not able to taste this wine last year because it was just finishing malolactic, but the wait was well worth it as it is unquestionably a big-time sleeper of the vintage. Dominique Hebrard, the son of Cheval Blanc’s former general manager, Jacques Hebrard, runs this property, and his impressive 2005 is the finest wine I have yet tasted from Bellefont-Belcier. It boasts a dense purple color along with a sumptuous nose of black cherry liqueur, smoke, licorice, crushed rocks, and flowers. Full-bodied with powerful flavors, sensational concentration, high tannin, and an attractive liqueur of mineral character, it will be drinkable in 5-6 years, and should last for three decades.

Score: 92-94. —Robert Parker, April 2007.

Wine Spectator

Gorgeous aroma of crushed raspberry, with just a hint of blackberry and toasted oak. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and ripe tannins. Fresh and lively finish.

Score: 89-91. —James Suckling, 2006.