Château Belle-Vue Haut-Médoc 2020 - Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

Awarded the distinction of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2020, this wine is a beautifully crafted Haut-Médoc, elegant in its clear, brilliant color. While the nose is rather discreet, the palate is more expressive, opening up to blackcurrant, spice, and toast, supported by good freshness and well-integrated tannins. A lovely classic. 2026-2031

About the estate:

In recent years, this small appellation in the southern Médoc has established itself as a sure bet. The wines here have been consistently excellent for several vintages now. A distinctive feature is the high proportion of Petit Verdot in the blend, a grape variety that produces a highly original cuvée. Offering excellent value for money, the wines produced here deserve a place in any wine lover's cellar.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

In recent years, this small appellation in the southern Médoc has established itself as a sure bet. The wines here have been consistently excellent for several vintages now. A distinctive feature is the high proportion of Petit Verdot in the blend, a grape variety that produces a highly original cuvée. Offering excellent value for money, the wines produced here deserve a place in any wine lover's cellar.

Vinous

About wine:

Belle-Vue 2020 is a magnificent Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. Dark plum, gravel, clove, menthol, and licorice give an impression of intensity. This 2020 has punch, but it also offers very good freshness to balance it all out. 2024-2036

James Suckling

About wine:

The nose is marked by notes of blackcurrant, cherry, as well as hints of baking spices and gravel. The medium-bodied to full-bodied palate is tightly wound with dense, chalky tannins that will need some time to soften and integrate fully. The finish is mineral. Drink from 2025 onwards.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Belle-Vue confirms the excellent quality announced during the en primeur tasting. It plays on different registers in terms of both aroma and taste. The bouquet reveals notes of wild berries and Sichuan pepper, complemented by a touch of tea leaves. Delicious and juicy, the wine has fleshy tannins that perfectly support the acidity. The whole still needs to blend together, but the path has been laid out and it's a safe bet that this wine has not yet reached its peak! 2026-2045

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The wine has a deep ruby color. The nose is elegant, delicately spicy and woody, with plenty of freshness and concentrated fruit. It first expresses a pronounced menthol note, followed by aromas of licorice, nutmeg, cloves, crushed coriander seeds, toasted vanilla, and chocolate. There are also delicious, juicy fruity notes: wild strawberry, morello cherry, roasted red cherry, redcurrant jelly, fresh blackcurrant, blueberry, wild plum, as well as a fragrant floral bouquet (violet, cornflower, lily) and a hint of roasting (toasted hazelnut). The palate is rich and enveloping, with a slight sweetness, while remaining fresh and refined. It expresses flavors of wild strawberry, creamy blackcurrant, roasted red cherry, fresh morello cherry, raspberry coulis, as well as mint chocolate, licorice, clove, toasted vanilla, coriander seeds, violet, cornflower, and lily. There is also a subtle hint of blackcurrant leaf, which adds a lovely freshness to the bouquet. The tannins are structured yet silky and sapid. Beautiful crisp acidity and a lingering, indulgent finish. A generous yet refined and elegant wine.