The 2015 Belair-Monange St. Emilion Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine from the renowned Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France. This vintage is the result of a blend primarily composed of Merlot with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc. The wine presents a deep garnet-purple color and has captured the attention of critics for its impressive structure and complexity.
James Suckling awarded this wine a perfect score of 100, praising its "ultra-refined tannins" and "seamless integration," while noting the wine's hidden power and structure that "goes on for minutes." Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider scored it 98 and described it as "silky, opulent, and perhaps decadent," with a finish that "seems endless." He suggests that the wine will only improve with time.
Jeb Dunnuck also gave a glowing review with a 97 rating, emphasizing the wine's "full-bodied richness" and "opulence married with purity of fruit." He recommends cellaring it for a few years to appreciate its evolving minerality. Wine Enthusiast echoed this sentiment, highlighting its "intense tannins and powerful structure" and advising to drink from 2027 for optimal enjoyment.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated it 98, commending its "remarkably riveting" character and noting its "spectacular" blend that results from the union of Chateau Belair and Chateau Magdelaine. The Wine Independent mirrored this score, describing it as "full-bodied, concentrated, and oh so seductive."
The 2015 Belair-Monange showcases the potential of the limestone plateau with its aromatic complexity and poise, as noted by Decanter. With scores consistently in the high 90s, this wine is celebrated for its elegance, longevity, and depth, making it a standout vintage in the Bordeaux region.