Wijnen

In 2009 werd opnieuw geen moeite gespaard om Bélair Monange tot het allerhoogste niveau te tillen. Voor het eerst in dertig jaar was weer aandacht voor het herstel van het wortelsysteem van de wijnstokken. De wijn is schaars: slechts 13,75 hl/ha werd geproduceerd. De vele oude wijnstokken leveren per definitie maar enkele trossen per stok. Soms zijn er dat maar twee! De oogst was laat en gespreid in de tijd. Alles was pas binnen op 10 oktober. 2009 Bélair Monange schittert om drie redenen: (i) de perfecte rijpheid van de druiven; (ii) het hoge alcoholgehalte dat onopgemerkt aan de proever voorbijgaat; en (iii) de allesomvattende indruk van frisheid en evenwicht. In stijl correspondeert 2009 met de precisie van 1989 en de opulente charme van 1990.

IN DE PERS

94+ Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate Issue # 199 (Februari 2012) - robertparker.com – This extraordinary terroir, now exploited by Edouard Moueix, the son of Christian, seems to be coming to life in a dramatic fashion. Never a hedonistic wine, but very intellectual, the 2009 suggests a liqueur of crushed rocks intermixed with black currants and black cherries. Still somewhat closed, medium to full-bodied, and impressive rather than seductive, this is a structured wine that needs to be forgotten for at least a decade, and then drunk over the following 30+ years. If readers are looking for the quintessential example of a terroir-dominated wine, this is Lesson 101 in terroir.

94-96+* Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate Issue # 188 (April 2010) - robertparker.com - Christian Moueix and his son, Edouard, must be extraordinarily proud of what they have achieved in just a few years after taking over this property (previously known as Belair) that had been so mismanaged and underexploited by its previous owners. Yields were cut to 13 hectoliters per hectare in 2009, and this great terroir has finally revealed its true potential. Tasting like a liqueur of crushed rocks intermixed with raspberry jam and kirsch, the full-bodied, elegant 2009 is a quintessential example of a true terroir wine. Forget it for 5-7 years and drink it over the following three decades. (Tasted once.)

93 Neal Martin - Wine Journal (December 2011) - robertparker.com - The Belair Monange has more intensity on the nose, a little more opulence and brio, not lush but plush with raspberry, crushed strawberries and Morello. The palate is very seduction with cashmere tannins, a faint touch of white pepper and very fine structure and sense of symmetry towards the finish. Nice weight and persistency, certainly a Saint Emilion that will repay cellaring. Very seductive. Tasted September 2011.

91-93+ Neal Martin - Wine Journal (April 2010) - robertparker.com - There is a slight exotic touch to the aromatics of this Belair-Monange, candied red-berried fruits, a touch of orange-zest, apricot and dried honey. Well-defined, expanding with aeration with hints of vanilla essence. The palate is medium-bodied, very tight at the moment with firm tannins, quite compact and reticent, but there is certainly a sense of coiled-up energy towards the finish. Hopefully, it will be more expressive after bottling. Tasted March 2010.

16,5/20 Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com (April 2010): Light to mid crimson. Ripe cherries and minerals on the nose. Very fresh and delicate. A really light hand on the tiller here. Enough substance but very far from a fruit bomb. Interesting chalky texture on the finish. Date tasted 30th March 2010. Drink 2016-2030.

94 James Suckling, winespectator.com (Februari 2012): Love the soft and velvety tannin with the milk chocolate and fruit character. Full and silky. Long and delicious. So fine. Best wine from this estate in decades. Maybe ever. Best after 2017.

91-94 James Suckling, winespectator.com (Maart 2010): Delivers intense blueberry and blackberry, with hints of dark chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, showing firm, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Precise fruit. Racy, ripe tannins. Formerly Belair, and much better quality.

18/20 James Lawther, Decanter Magazine (April 2010): Greater density and definition than in the past. A more modern feel. Lovely fruit, refined texture and still the freshness and lenth provided by the terroir. Drink 2018-2040.

Vigneron Magazine N°28 (Maart 2017) - L’année météorologique se révèle quasiment parfaite, avec des vendanges qui durent du 2 au 6 octobre. L’assemblage se compose de 85% de merlot et 15% de cabernet franc. La robe apparaît plus dense que sur le millésime précédent avec un grenat qui fonce. Il s’en échappe des flaveurs de fraise des bois et de poivre du Sichuan. L’attaque se montre tendre avec une texture veloutée et sensuelle, soutenue à partir du milieu de bouche par une belle tension qui étire le vin. Par sa puissance et sa concentration naturelle, ce vin se montre l’un des plus voluptueux de ces dernières années.

Bélair Monange

Bélair Monange is één van de allermooiste terroirs van Saint Emilion, hoog op de helling naast Ausone. Generaties terug was Bélair aanzien als de betere van de twee en dit kan weer het geval worden. De nieuwe eigenaar, Edouard Moueix, leverde grote inspanningen sinds de aankoop in de zomer van 2008: de gebouwen werden gerehabiliteerd en een heraanplanting van de wijngaard werd gestart. Om dit mogelijk te maken werden Magdelaine en Bélair samengevoegd in 2012. Bélair werd Bélair Monange in eerbetoon aan de overgrootmoeder van de eigenaar, Mme Adèle Monange (1887-1972). Voortaan prijkt de Engel van Albrecht Dürer in rode inkt op het etiket.

Moueix

Als zoon van Christian en kleinzoon van Jean-Pierre, distingeert Edouard Moueix zich door de heropwaardering van één van de mooiste historische wijngaarden van Saint Emilion: Château Bélair Monange.