2009 Belair-Monange, St-Emilion (Previously $190.00)

SKU #1108248 94 points James Suckling

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. (2/ 2012)

94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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+ points. (2/ 2012)

94 points Wine Enthusiast

A core of sweetness shows through this wine. It has juicy acidity shining prominently—it shows its fresh side immediately. Bélair-Monange is still a work in progress, although this will always be a delicious wine. (2/ 2012)

90-92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Lively deep ruby-purple. Rather inexpressive nose hints at a calcaire purity to its delicate aromas of floral red berries and minerals. Rich and chewy if a bit backward and sullen today, with pure flavors of blackberry, minerals and licorice. Dry, classic and very light on its feet, this should gain in complexity with elevage Finishes with a chalky calcaire quality and hints of spicy red fruits. This is an archetypical example of a mineral-driven, leaner style of wine that can get overlooked in blind tastings. (6/ 2010)

92 points Wine Spectator

Offers lovely interplay between cherry and raspberry fruit, with darker plum and graphite notes and a perfumy Lapsang souchong tea edge. Very racy and detailed, with a long, mouthwatering, mineral-driven finish that really stretches out as it airs. Best from 2014 through 2026. (3/ 2012)

Jancis Robinson

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. (4/ 2010)

K&L Notes

Sweet mid-palate. Decent length. Trey: High-toned red cherry fruit, spice and high acidity. A bit lean but still sweet.