Bel-Air 'Jean & Gabriel' - Lussac Saint-Emilion 2021

Vinous

86

byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024

The 2021 Bel Air Jean & Gabriel feels a little pushed on the nose, perhaps a tad over-extracted? It needs more definition and freshness. The palate is ripe and sweet on the entry with firm grip and good body, but it is missing some delineation and complex

Jamessuckling.com

91

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2024

Red plum fruit, anise, mushrooms and brewed tea on the nose. It’s medium-bodied and gently spicy, with chalky tannins. Mineral. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc. Better in 2025.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

A round and creamy-textured red with a medium body. Soft and juicy. Blackberry and red berry. Tea and some crushed stone, too. Salty and fresh. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc.

Decanter.com

90

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2022

Such a perfumed nose, really quite heady and seductive, lots of dried flowers, chocolate and black plum aromas. Intense on the palate, this has clear power and backbone. The tannins are fine but plump and this has depth but also precision. I love the Cabernet aspects coming through, the strictness and spice but then the expansiveness on the palate. Nicely fresh, touching on seering but there's clarity and detail on show too. One to watch!

50% Merlot, 50% Cab Franc. Antoine 5th generation winemaker. Consultant is Stephane Derenoncourt. 5ha, average 45 years old vines, half Merlot half Cab Franc. First vintage 2014. Only clay terroir, deep for Merlot with veins of blue clay. Clay but lighter for Cab Franc. Part of malo in oak barrels. 30% new oak, 30% one year and the rest in two year old barrels. First time in 2021 using 500 liters barrels.