Chateau Bellevue 2015

JAMES SUCKLING: "Impressive dark plums and mulberries with nicely intertwined spices and violets. Attractive leafiness and sweet, earthy depth. The palate has suave, flowing tannins that carry a plush, plump core of dark-plum and mulberry flavors with a seamlessly long, showy finish. Try this from 2022."

DECANTER: "The 2015 is really a profound example of Bellevue - a 100% Merlot that has lots of power, replete with rich and spicy plummy fruits. The tannins are unmistakably layered, and this will age exceptionally well and take its time to soften. It goes long on fruit and on grippy acidity, and there is an austerity on the attack that softens into a graphite-led mid-palate. There was still 2% cabernet franc in the vineyard at this point, but it was not used in the blend. A highly enjoyable wine. 60% new oak. Drinking Window 2023 - 2040"

WINEADVOCATE: "Produced from 100% Merlot, the 2015 Bellevue gives up a deep garnet-purple color and quite an earthy/savory nose with tilled soil, charcuterie and roasted nut notions over a core of plum preserves, black forest cake and licorice plus hints of tar and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied with firm, rounded tannins and vibrant fruit expression lifted by a lovely line of freshness, it finishes on a minerally note."

WEINWISSER: "Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Reifes Beerenbouquet, mit ganz feinen Röstnoten unterlegt, legt mit Luft zu und zeigt eine wunderschöne Komplexität. Im Gaumen stoffig, nachhaltiges Extrakt, viel Walderdbeeren, hat gute Reserven, ganz auf Klassik gemacht. Ein geduldiger Wein mit grossartigem Potenzial."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, reife Kirschen, ein Hauch von Weichseln, dunkle Beerenfrucht, zarte Kräuterwürze, süße Edelholzwürze. Saftig, frische Struktur, feine Tannine, Kirschen im Nachhall, mineralisch und anhaltend, gute Extraktsüße, zi­troniger Nachhall."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The estate is situated on the slope opposite Angélus. This wine's tannins are firm but well integrated into the crisp Merlot fruit. The depth and complexity of this wine will allow it to age well. Drink from 2026."

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2015 Bellevue has a pleasant, slightly diffuse bouquet with brambly black fruit, sage and cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with raspberry pastille, graphite and cedar notes, more masculine than expected with fine delineation on the finish. Perhaps this is a little more forward than I anticipated after tasting from bottle 12 months ago, but it remains a well crafted Bellevue. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting."

WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The essence of a mineral-driven wine, with salty tannins, fresh, dark, plums, juicy, black cherry, anise and chocolate, this wine is silky, crisp and fresh. The wine was made from 100% Merlot."

WINESPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR: “Gorgeous, with blackberry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit stitched together by a refined chalky structure. The long, focused finish ripples with understated energy while anise and black tea accents chime in the background. Best from 2023 through 2035."