This perhaps somewhat controversial marriage between the estates of Chateau Belair and Chateau Magdelaine—both Premier Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion estates—to form Chateau Bélair Monange hits pay-dirt with this spectacular 2015 release. Composed of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Belair Monange has the most singular nose of grilled meats, smoked game, iron ore and fallen leaves over a slowly unfurling ripe fruit core of crushed black plums, blackberry preserves and cassis with fragrant touches of star anise and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate reveals an arresting backbone of exquisitely ripe, very firm tannins and sparks of background acidity lifting and defining the rich, densely packed layers, culminating in an epically long and multifaceted finish. Possessing its own compellingly beautiful signature, this is a remarkably riveting wine that should not be missed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Interim Issue Mid-February 2018, The Wine Advocate

A huge, intense Saint-Émilion, the Bélair-Monange is just as impressive from bottle as it was from cask. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that the wine is going to need at least a decade to shed some of its considerable baby fat. A rush of super-ripe black cherry, game, smoke and tobacco hits the palate as this dramatic, unrestrained Saint-Émilion shows off its explosive personality. The 2015 speaks with an assertive voice that demands attention – and it got mine, that’s for sure. The blend is 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. vinous.com, February 2018

The 2015 Château Bélair-Monange is primarily Merlot blended with roughly 10% Cabernet Franc. This straight up awesome Saint-Emilion boasts a deep ruby/purple color, huge aromatics of blackcurrants, scorched earth, and tobacco, full-bodied richness, and a gorgeous opulence married with purity of fruit that hard to believe. Picking up more and more minerality with time in the glass, give this blockbuster 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following two to three decades. It’s flat-out great.

 The 2015 Belair Monange is definitely one of the most impressive wines from Saint-Émilion this vintage. It has a very intense yet stylish bouquet with copious red berry fruit laced with tobacco and black truffle, almost Pomerol-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with layers of plush red fruit, graphite, white pepper and a discrete smear of dark chocolate. It fans out beautifully on the finish, a very seductive temptress of a wine that is going to give a lot of pleasure over many years. Anticipated maturity: 2022 - 2050.

– eRobertParker.com, Feb 2018

A charcoal and tobacco underpinning gives this energy, while the core of steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit unwinds slowly. Shows grip but remains very refined in feel overall, with a beautiful chalky thread adding nuance to the finish. This is lovely, but with some sneaky power in reserve. Best from 2023 through 2040. 2,398 cases made. (JM)

Previously known as Château Belair, this estate is run by – and indeed is home to – Edouard Moueix and his wife. Polished, powerful, intense nose of dark fruit, soy and exotic spice. Unctuous and ripe, with fine, sweet tannins. Powerful and glossy. Very fine indeed. (88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc.)

Extremely dark. Very heady, very dramatic. So unlike the Bélair and Magdelaine of old! Small berries (tastes as though) and very concentrated. Thick and ambitious. Quite a play! Halfway between the J-P Moueix restraint and the more alcoholic style that has been modern St-Émilion. Drink 2037-2042.

– jancisrobinson.com, Apr 2016

Blue fruits, minerals, lavender and licorice aromas are wonderful. Full body and ultra-refined tannins with an integration and refinement that make the wines seamless and beautiful. The powerful tannins hide from you at first, but what structure in the end. It goes on for minutes. Try in 2024.