Bellefont Belcier 2018 (750ML)

91-93 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Bellefont Belcier delivers profound notions of warm plums, baked cherries and mulberries with hints of spice cake and underbrush. Full-bodied, rich and decadent, it has a rock-solid backbone of rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. Aging is in progress for an anticipated 20 months in 40% new, 40% one year-old and 20% two year-old barrels. The blend is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon." 4/19

92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2018 Bellefont-Belcier has quite an intense nose of predominantly black fruit plus graphite and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, quite compact at the moment and probably closing in after bottling. But there is plenty of freshness here and it feels very harmonious, if slightly “playing it safe” on the finish. Cellar for several years." 03/21

90-93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2018 Bellefont-Belcier is dark, powerful and quite brooding, but also noticeably less extracted than in the past. Succulent dark cherry, plum, violet, lavender, graphite and spice all infuse this savory, virile Saint-Émilion. All of the signatures are in place, but delivered with more nuance than was once the case. Consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos has ushered in quite a change at the property in his first vintage here. Tasted three times " 4/19

95 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "A dense, rich red, yet the tannins are so fine and integrated with beautiful texture and finesse. It’s full-bodied, showing pretty balance and refinement with lots of exotic fruit and richness. Tight now. Try after 2024." 01/21

94 Points, Jane Ansen, Decanter: "Well-located on the limestone slopes near Pavie, this has been under the ownership of Peter Kwok since 2017. Here he delivers a measured wine that has plenty of limestone character in a saline twist through the finish, while maintaining that St-Emilion gloss. Chocolate pods and just the right kind of bite; feels confident and with potential ahead. 30% new oak." 11/20

94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "I continue to love this Saint-Emilion, which hails from a 12.5-hectare vineyard located just beside Larcis Ducasse, on the Côte Pavie hillside. Based on 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Château Bellefont-Belcier's deep purple hue is followed by a ripe, medium to full-bodied 2018 with loads of blueberry and currant bud-like fruits as well as notes of leafy tobacco, spring flowers, truffle, and earth. Nicely textured, with fine, polished tannins and solid depth of fruit, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will evolve for 25 years or more. It doesn't quite have the depth or density I remember from barrel, but it's still a beautiful wine." 03/21