Bellefont Belcier - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

Wine Advocate

91

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Bellefont Belcier wears its cedary oak at the forefront at this stage, giving way to scents of baked blackberries, black cherries and mulberries plus wafts of Christmas cake and tobacco. Medium-bodied, the palate is firmly textured with grainy tannins and has a great core of muscular fruit, finishing with a lovely herbal lift. A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak, 40% new. Drinking Window : 2021 - 2033

Vinous

91

byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020

The 2017 Bellefont-Belcier is powerful, but also a bit rough around the edges. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, leather and savory herbs start to open with a bit of time in the glass, but the 2017 never really fully comes together. Perhaps time in bottle will help.

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020

Juicy and fresh, with lively plum, blackberry and black cherry compote flavors taking the lead, while anise, apple wood and bramble accents fill in through the finish. Shows good energy throughout. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2035. 2,917 cases made. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020

Dark fruit with chocolate and a hint of coffee on the nose. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a juicy finish. The toasted oak is a little predominant now, but this is going to come together beautifully. Excellent length, A blend of 70% merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Try after 2022.

Le Point

15,5

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits rouges, bouche ronde, tanins soyeux, jus de cerise, bonne longueur, relevé en finale, complexe, bonne densité. Prix non défini à ce jour.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-95

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

Coming from a 13.5-hectare vineyard sitting on the plateau and south-facing hillside of the Cote Pavie (right beside Larcis-Ducasse), the 2017 Bellefont-Belcier is a screaming success in the vintage. Loaded with beautiful dark fruits, violets, and salty, rocky minerality, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, sensational purity of fruit, and perfect balance. The tentative blend is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it hit a solid 14.6% natural alcohol. It’s certainly worth your time and money. Tasted three times.

Vinifera

90-92

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Joli nez, fin, d’une bonne intensité fruitée. Il développe une silhouette élancée au palais, avec un tanin d’un grain savoureux. Très joli vin.

Vinous

89-92

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 Bellefont-Belcier is deep, unctuous and powerful, with tremendous depth and structure to back up the fruit. Inky blackberry, chocolate, spice, new leather, lavender and blueberry jam are pushed forward in this plush, creamy Saint-Émilion. This is the first vintage made by new owner Peter Kwok. The 2017 will need a few years to come into its own, but it is impressive, even in the early going. Tasted three times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

The first vintage for new owner Peter Kwok is deep in color. The medium/full bodied, fresh, bright, black cherry, licorice and chocolate filled wine offers soft textures, freshness and minerality in the finish. The wine was made from blending 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Bellefont-Belcier, which was purchased by Peter Kwok last year (see Haut-Brisson, Tour St. Christophe, La Patache etc), was fermented without SO2. It has an extremely rich, decadent bouquet that seems to be trying too hard to make an impression instead of reflecting its propitious terroir. The palate is almost viscous on the entry, extremely concentrated and opulent. One bottle tasted just too ostentatious although another indicated that there is some composure, linearity and tension that prompted a more optimistic view and a higher banded score.

Wine Advocate

89-91

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

The 2017 Bellefont Belcier is deep garnet-purple colored and scented of baked plums and dried mulberries with touches of fragrant earth and underbrush. Medium-bodied, soft and plush, it has plenty of fruit and a gorgeous texture, finishing long. The tentative blend is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Decanter.com

90

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

WeinWisser

17

byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

89-91

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

Ripe red fruits give this wine a luscious character balanced by firm tannins. The dry core is firmly dominant at this stage although there is plenty of fruit for the future. Drink from 2024.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

Very focused and compacted, showcasing extremely polished and firm tannins. Medium-to full-bodied and finely glossy and precise. Dark fruits, wet earth and an intense finish. Excellent length.