Château Belgrave 2017

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, 2017 Belgrave reveals notes of warm cassis, baked black cherries and preserved plums plus suggestions of garrigue and charcoal. Medium-bodied, the palate is a little thin and edgy with chewy tannins and crisp acid defining the finish.

Dark currant and black cherry fruit encases a subtle cast iron hint, while a smoldering alder whiff curls around the finish. A seductive style, with an old-school accent. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2029. 10,416 cases made.

Leafy notes of herbs and savoury mushrooms, dark cherry and blackcurrant jam. Ripe and rich palate, powerful and mouthcoating.

Dourthe's flagship. 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, planted on deep gravel with clay subsoil. Deep crimson with a black core. Sweet black damson fruit. Plenty of rocky, graphite notes giving a dark elegance on the palate, and the tannins are supple and add to the freshness. Just a touch herbaceous on the finish, perhaps? (JH)

The 2017 Belgrave comes across as wild and gamy. Iron, graphite, incense, tobacco and inky dark fruit give the 2017 a distinctly feral personality. That impression is further enhanced by big, rustic tannins. I liked this a bit more from barrel.

Forward in style, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh and fruity, with a sense of brightness in the earthy, red-berry finish. The wine was made from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.

Deep purple. A delicate perfume of lilac notes, followed by Dominican tobacco, chocolate pastilles, and blackberries. On the firm palate, a finely austere texture with a meaty extract that still craves more, and fine-grained notes from the extraction. The focused finish shows tobacco leaf, walnut shells, and small dried black berries. The body groans under the heavy load it has to bear; it’s clear that too much was attempted here. Potential rating.

Kunz barrel sample 18: (88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot) Elegant, dense, fresh, complex bouquet—blueberries, cassis, strawberries, noble woods, fine mocha. A tightly woven, delicate palate with precise fruit, powerful and varied aromatics, fine tannins, a finely muscular structure, and a long, aromatic finish with pronounced afterflavors.

(88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot) Elegant, dense, fresh, complex bouquet: blueberries, cassis, strawberries, noble woods, fine mocha. Tightly woven, delicate palate with fine fruit, powerful and varied aromatics, fine tannins, a finely muscular structure, long, aromatic finish with pronounced residual flavours. 18/20 2025 - 2038

The 2017 relies on very smooth, creamy tannins, and it evolves gently while preserving its charm and a supple, velvety palate.

Fresh, sappy, broad, tannins still edgy, with a beautiful long finish.

Dark color with slight evolution. Discreet nose with ripe fruit. Fruity, pleasant, and flavorful palate with fine tannins on the finish. Medium length.

A reserved, finely tannined red with currant and stone character on the palate. Medium body. Creamy and refined. Pretty aromas and flavors. A blend of 88% cabernet sauvignon and 12% merlot. Start drinking in 2021.

Dense garnet red with violet highlights. What an inviting, complex bouquet! From the outset it shows lovely fruit intensity, layering notes of black berries and spices. I also pick up a touch of tea leaves and tobacco. On the palate, Belgrave has a solid tannic structure that gives it the necessary breadth, while the framework underscores the wine’s freshness and character. Fine performance from Belgrave. This wine has what it takes to age.

This well-formed wine has tannins and black-currant fruits in balance. It shows structure and a ripe, classic profile that will allow it to age. Drink this wine from 2022.