Chateau Bellefont Belcier 2015

JEB DUNNUCK: "I was blown away by the 2015 Château Bellefont Belcier and this knockout red is a blend of 72% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 80% new barrel. This estate covers 13.5 hectares of prime real estate, sitting just beside Larcis-Ducasse on the plateau and south-facing hillside of the Côte Pavie. Loads of blackcurrants, black cherries, truffle, licorice and hints of chocolate all emerge from this opulent, full-bodied, inky-colored red that has boatloads of sweet tannin, a rich, deep mid-palate, and a great, great finish. There’s a little over 5,000 cases of this beauty, don't miss it. Tasted twice."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Love the nose of blackberries, black truffles, oyster shell and wet earth. Full-bodied, layered and fantastic. Firm and silky tannins and a juicy finish. Gorgeous complexity. Drink in 2020."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Reifes Waldbeerenbouquet, fein laktische Anflüge, wirkt sehr nobel im Ansatz. Im dichten Gaumen mit feinem Stoff aufwartend, die Säure zeigt eine feine Rasse im Extrakt, frisch und delikat zugleich."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, mit feinen floralen Nuancen unterlegte reife Kirschenfrucht, ein Hauch von Herzkirschen, verführerisches Bukett. Saftig, elegant, zeigt eine ausgezeichnete Frische, reife Tannine, gute Länge, vielversprechendes Potenzial, mineralisch."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: “Soft, elegant, fresh and stony, with a nice floral component, while still just a baby, it's easy to see how this is going to develop, with its wealth of fresh, ripe, sweet fruit, licorice, smoke and earthy polished nuances. By the time this hits 7-10 years of age, it's going to be in the sweet spot."

WINE SPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR: “This sports an ample core of gushy blackberry and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors, lined with black licorice details and carried by a lively bramble note. A strong apple wood edge emerges on the finish, melding into the fruit. Displays good cut and drive. Best from 2020 through 2030."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2015 Bellefont Belcier is a blend of 68% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 20 months in 80% new and 20% one-year-old barrels. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it has lovely cassis, red currant and black raspberries scents with touches of underbrush, pencil lead and dried herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate is firm, chewy and rich with good expression and a long earthy finish."