Château Bélair-Monange winery

You read it everywhere, but you have to taste it for yourself: The Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé is one of the very best - especially since 2008, when the famous wine merchant and winemaker family Moueix took over the former Château Bélair.

The estate experienced its real boom in the 18th century. On the eve of the Revolution, Bélair wines were trading at two to three times the usual price at the time. As early as 1802, part of the production was bottled at the château. With the classification in 1850, Bélair attained the rank of Premiers Crus de Saint-Émilion.

The current owners have completely restored the estate and integrated the vineyards of the neighbouring Château Magdelaine in 2012. In particular, the soil and genetic material were analysed in detail and the plots were restructured by replanting. In order to reactivate the microbiological "life", the soils were left to rest for five whole years. A truly "silent" investment. The building and cellar were repaired or renovated over ten years. A completely new cellar is currently being built according to plans by Herzog & de Meuron.

The 23.5 hectares of vines - mainly planted with Merlot and a little Cabernet Franc - are located on the best soils in Saint-Émilion: firstly, at an altitude of 88 metres, the limestone plateau in Astéries, which is covered with a thin layer of clay. Freshness, minerality and a unique elegance thrive here. Then the south-facing clay terraces on a calcareous subsoil provide intensity, length and depth. The southern area, consisting of a layer of loamy clay on a deep clay soil, produces softness and generosity.

In the vineyard, particular attention is paid to the health of the biotope - through fallow sections and hedges, sustainable soil planting, parcel-specific care and irrigation adapted to the age of the vines.

Vinification is also carried out by parcel. The aim with each vintage is to "produce a harmonious and balanced wine that reflects the full complexity and aristocratic status of this terroir." One of the best wines ever.

photos: Château Bélair-Monange