Chateau Belgrave 2014 Fifth Growth Grand Cru Classes《Terroir Collection - ZTF633E》
Region : Haut Medoc / Bordeaux
Grapes : 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
Alcohol : 13% vol
Website: http://www.dourthe.com
🌟 Good value Fifth Growth
🌟 Michel Rolland consult since 1986
🌟 Vinous: Belgrave has been on a roll in recent years
🏅Wine Enthusiast 91–93
🏅 James Suckling 91-92分
🏅 Wine Spectator 89分
🏅 Parker 89分
🏅 Vivino 3.9
Background
AOC Haut-Médoc - Grand Cru Classé 1855
"Since 1979, with Chateau Belgrave, we have been extremely privileged to manage this large, classic estate, which is amongst the finest in Medoc. This significant responsibility, continued source of investment and tireless, never truly assuaged quest for perfection, brings with it the immense satisfaction of in someway expressing the character of the soils and revealing in our wines the refinement, depth and personality of this outstanding terroir." Patrick Jestin
Originally a highly reputed hunting pavilion during the reign of Louis XV, the expansion of the vineyards was particularly influenced by the Coutanceau family, whose name was first adopted for the estate’s wines during the classification of Bordeaux wines carried out by Guillaume Lawton in 1815. The “Bellegrave” designation first appeared in 1845, when Bruno Devès, an egociant in Bordeaux, remodelled the estate, favouring vine growing on the finest gravel terroirs. He built residences, tank rooms and wineries, and constructed the existing residence on the site of the original hunting pavilion. The wine was classified as a 5th growth in 1855, still bearing the name of Coutanceau, whilst the “Belgrave” name was only to be attributed at the beginning of the 20th century by Marcel Alibert, founder of the Syndicate of Crus Classés, and owner of the estate for almost 30 years. The link between the wine and hunting explains the ferret that features on the packaging, and also the name “Diane de Belgrave” given to its second wine.
Situated at the extremities of the St-Julien appellation, separated from its neighbour Château Lagrange by only a stream, Château Belgrave is one of the oldest Cru vineyards in the Médoc. In 1855 it was classified as a 5th growth because of the exceptional quality of its deep gravel soils. The soils at Château Belgrave show remarkable diversity. Two hillocks made up of gravel and pebbles deposited thousands of years ago by the Garonne river, overlying a bed of clay, rise to 23 and 26 metres. This type of soil is favorable to late-ripening grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit-Verdot, which now covers 4% of the surface area following remodelling of the vineyard. The gravel thins towards the foot of the hillocks, where the soil is a combination of gravel and sand offering good drainage, and clay out crops, which are particularly adapted to the cultivation of Merlot.
A significant amount of work is carried out in the vineyard to ensure optimum quality of the grapes. Increasing the planting density per hectare to 10,000 hectares across 75% of the vineyard and increasing the canopy area moderates yields and improves the concentration of the grapes. Studies initially carried out at Château Belgrave to analyse the correlation between vine growth and the profile of the sub-soil and water supplies, have led to a highly detailed mapping of the vineyard that identifies rows or parts of rows within each parcel of vines that ripen at the same rate.The cultivation regime combined with sustainable plant protection throughout the growing cycle is then tailored to the mapping, including pruning methods, bud stripping, suckering, leaf plucking and cover planting. In this way, a perfect understanding of the vineyard and terroir will create perfectly healthy grapes of consistent ripeness, picked using selective harvesting and forming highly consistent cuves.
Since 1982, Château Belgrave has benefited from ageing and vinification tools capable of the most gentle winemaking methods. In 2004,the tank room was entirely remodelled, with the focus on preserving thecharacter and diversity of individual parcels from selective harvesting. 33 stainless steel tanks of varying sizes and 6 small stainless steel cone-shaped tanks introduced in 2013, now allow even greater levels of selective vinification. 13 of these tanks are equipped with an integrated cap punching system.In 2007, updating the partly underground barrel hall to an ultra modern specification, continued a 15-year cycle of renovating the vineyard and winery facilities at Château Belgrave. In 2010, the large reception area was renovated, with its well-lit, understated style providing visitors with optimum tasting conditions.
Good weather condition in Bordeaux 2005 by Decanter
Rating: 5/5 Left Bank | 5/5 Right Bank
Summary: This vintage met all the conditions for a great year and has gone down as a triumph for many, which means it is well worth considering smaller-scale estates alongside the top names. ‘It would have needed a very poor winemaker to introduce vegetal notes and a stupid one toover-extract,’ said Steven Spurrier after tasting the wines en primeur. Cabernet wines were noted for their excellent ripeness. Over in St-Emilion,many wines were big and bold, partially reflecting winemaking trends of the time. Drinking well now but the top names should have plenty of years left in them. Priced highly when released en primeur.
🏅Wine Enthusiast 91–93
From the flagship Médoc estate of Bordeaux negociant Dourthe, this wine is impressive, ripe and ready to age well. The wood aging still shows slightly but that is already compensated for by the ripe black-currant fruits from the 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and the generous texture. Drink this wine from 2023.
🏅 James Suckling 91-92
(2014 vintage) "Dark and concentrated in appearance. The complex bouquet is bursting with harmonious notes of cedar, liquorice and mint, and develops notes of dark fruits, of cherry and blackcurrant. Creamy and velvety on the attack, the wine is enshrouded in a concentrated, smooth tannic structure. The intensity of the subtle vanilla-edged fruit accompanies the lengthy finish of this Chateau Belgrave with its typically Saint-Julien-esque elegance."
