The 2019 Belair-Monange St. Emilion is a Bordeaux blend that demonstrates the esteemed reputation of its producer, Belair-Monange, from the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, with an alcohol content of 13%, is sealed with a traditional cork closure. The 2019 vintage is composed primarily of Merlot, with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc, sourced from 25-year-old vines and aged in 50% new French oak.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 99 points, describing it as having "wonderful aromas of fresh flowers, blackberries, and cherries" and lauding its "incredible purity and excellence." He emphasized the wine's "enchanting and thought-provoking" nature, suggesting it will benefit from further aging, recommending to "try after 2028."
Decanter also rated the wine 99 points, calling it "one of the standouts in 2019." The review highlighted the "red fruit aromatics" and the "gorgeous expression on the palate." Decanter's review elaborated on the wine's "grace," noting its "layers of flavor" and "wonderful lift," suggesting a drinking window from 2030 to 2050.
Jeb Dunnuck, who rated the wine 98 points, praised its "depth and richness," describing it as "a magical wine in the vintage." He noted its "deep red and black fruits, truffly earth, tobacco, and spring flower notes," and recommended allowing 7-8 years of bottle age for optimal enjoyment.
The Wine Independent also rated it 98 points, appreciating its "full-bodied palate" and "grainy tannins," alongside aromas of "baked black plums, blackberry compote, and dark chocolate."
Jane Anson gave the wine a 97-point score, noting its "precision" and "restrained violet flowers, raspberry and redcurrant fruits." She advised giving it 6 to 8 years to fully develop.
Jeff Leve matched Anson's score, highlighting the wine's "spring flowers, wet earth, spice-box, and red with black fruits." He noted its "vibrant, elegant, rich, and silky" finish, with a recommended drinking window from 2031 to 2055.
Vinous provided a more reserved assessment with 94 points, describing the wine as "backward and broody" with a "slightly chocolaty opening" and suggesting it might be "entering an awkward adolescence."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated it 95 points, recognizing it as "another of the richer, more powerful wines in the Mouiex portfolio," with aromas of "sweet cherries, wild berries, vanilla pod, plum preserve, warm spices, and cedary new oak."
Wine Enthusiast awarded it 96 points, calling it a "structured, elegant wine" with "ripe blackberry fruits" and a "rich texture," suggesting it will be ready from 2027.
Wine Spectator gave it 95 points, commending its "richness of the vintage" and "long, caressing waves of cassis, plum reduction, and boysenberry compote flavors," with a suggested drinking period from 2025 through 2040.
Overall, the 2019 Belair-Monange St. Emilion is widely praised for its excellent structure, rich fruit profile, and potential for aging, with several reviewers recommending waiting a few years to fully experience its depth and complexity.