Les Tours Belcier 2016

ABOUT THE WINE

Appellation | Saint Émilion Grand Cru

Grape | 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

Ageing | 90% new barrels, 10% old barrels

Tasting Notes | Very ripe wine, yet has a little presence of dryness. Slight herbal and blackcurrent flavors. 

Pairing | Venison 

Drinking | Drinking now - 2028

Critic Notes / Awards | 91/100 James Suckling

ABOUT THE CHÂTEAU

Chateau Bellefont Belcier dates back to the seventeenth century as an estate. The vineyard was officially founded in the middle of the eighteenth century by Count Louis Francois de Belcier, which as you can guess, is where the estate took the first part of its name from. Bellefont, or Belle Fontaine, which is translated into beautiful fountains was inspired from the numerous natural springs that littered the area. From there, what we know of today as Chateau Bellefont Belcier was born.

The family sold Chateau Bellefont Belcier in 1871 to Pierre Faure. Pierre Faure is responsible for building and designing the estate’s unique, circular vat house. Rumors persist that the ornate iron work was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. Things changed in 1994 when the Labusquire family, descendants of Pierre Faure, sold the estate to a partnership between three families headed by; Jacques Berrebi, Alain Laguillaumie and Dominique Hebard. The new owners invested heavily in the vineyards, where they added terraces to their slopes. By the time September, 2012 rolled around, Chateau Bellefont Belcier, which had been offered for sale for years, was sold to a group of Chinese investors. In 2015, the property changed hands again with it was sold to John Renos, who did not remain as the owner for very long.

Peter Kwok from Hong Kong recently purchased 13.5 hectare Bellefont-Belcier to add to his rapidly growing portfolio of right bank properties - including Enclos Tourmaline and La Tour Saint Christophe. The property is situated between Château Larcis Ducasse and Tertre Roteboeuf on the south-facing slopes and plateau of Saint Emilion. The wine-maker here is now Jean-Christophe Meyrou (formerly of Le Gay and La Violette) with Thomas Duclot (of Canon) his consultant. Although they bought the property in 2017, Jean-Christophe feels that 2018 is his first proper vintage.

Soils: Limestone and blue clay 

Farming: Harvest by hand

Vines: On average 15 years of age