2023 Château Belgrave, Cru Classé Haut-Médoc

The 2023 Belgrave is a stellar wine and one of the sleepers in this vintage. Rich and layered in the glass, with terrific persistence, the 2023 has so much to offer. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice and new leather all meld together in this wonderfully expressive, nuanced Haut-Médoc. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot with no Petit Verdot in this vintage. The 2023 is a very fine mini Saint-Julien of sorts, and I mean that in the best sense of the term. Tasted two times.

The 2023 Belgrave has impressive fruit intensity on the nose, showing plenty of brambly black fruit laced with tobacco and cedar: classic Claret in style. I've come to expect that from this estate. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, counterbalanced by ripe blackberry fruit laced with white pepper and tobacco. There’s just the right amount of dryness on the finish to complete this excellent (often well-priced) Belgrave.

This is very structured and solid with a pretty center-palate of fruit and chewy tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with cool blue fruit and mineral undertones and some stone character. Well done. Better than 2022.