2005 Château Belair, 1er Grand Cru Classé St-Emilion
One of the more classically styled St.Emilion and a welcome relief in a tasting that seemed packed with modern, heavily oaked, heavily extracted styles. Belair lies close to Ausone on the same limestone hill that forms the highest point of the St.Emilion côte. The aromas here are of fragrant plum and red berry fruit; the palate shows a fine, flowing nature with a silky elegant texture and medium tannic grip. There are characters akin to moist dried fruit here, with a freshness and pleasing sense of poise. There is no mistaking the underlying mineral nature of this wine. An attractive appealing effort that will drink well over the mid term – classically St.Emilion.