The 2018 Bellevue Bordeaux Blend, hailing from the renowned Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France, is a red wine that has garnered critical acclaim from various wine reviewers. Produced entirely from Merlot grapes, this wine boasts a deep garnet-purple hue and an impressive 15% alcohol content.
James Suckling lauds this vintage with a score of 95, noting its “polished, seamless layers of fruit and wood with a long finish.” He highlights the aromas of blueberry, plum, praline, and cedar, encapsulated by firm yet caressing tannins, suggesting that this wine is best enjoyed from 2026 onwards. Jeff Leve, also awarding a score of 95, describes it as "soft, silky, sexy, opulent" and loaded with flavors of dark cocoa-covered black and red fruits, making it a wine that promises "fabulous drinking for at least 2 decades or more."
Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, who scored it 94, emphasizes the wine's "profound nose of plum preserves, blackberry compote, and stewed black cherries." She appreciates its medium to full-bodied palate, energetic black fruits, and lingering ferrous note.
Decanter offers a slightly more restrained score of 93, describing the wine as having "clear austerity on the approach," but praises its texture and "juicy, seductive finish" with notable liquorice flavors. Jeb Dunnuck also scores it 93, commending its "beautiful purity, ripe tannins, and a good spine of acidity," suggesting it will benefit from additional bottle age.
Overall, the 2018 Bellevue Bordeaux Blend presents a compelling profile with its rich fruit flavors and sophisticated tannins, promising a rewarding experience for those who choose to savor it now or in the years to come.