PV Tasting Notes
How many estates produced a better wine in 2007 than the previous 10 vintages, certainly I cannot think of a single one, this estate continues to push the envelope in terms of quality and consistency, I cannot think of another estate who has performed so well in Bordeaux within the same price range. Another great wine from the overachieving Belle-Vue, bright ruby coloured, offering sweet aromas of black fruits, liquorice, coffee and sexy oak, with a whiff of smoky nutty reduction. Supple and sweet, with good ripeness and density to the flavours of blackberry, black cherry, spices and bitter chocolate, superb volume here. Some of the glorious volume and spice here may come from the 20% Petit Verdot component. This property on gravelly soil next to Giscours benefited from early ripening in 2007
Independent Review88 points Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate April 2010
A delicious blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and a whopping 20% Petit Verdot, this estate continues to over-perform its humble pedigree. The 2007 reveals dense, smoky, black cherry and raspberry notes intermixed with a hint of loamy soil in the background. Round, generous, and medium-bodied with silky tannins and low acidity, it should be drunk over the next 3-4 years.
This beautiful Cabernet blend is best with Rack or Saddle of Lamb, will also suit very well Roast Leg of Lamb, Shoulder or Fillet of Beef, Sautéed calf’s liver, Partridge or Grouse, fried sweetbreads or Kidneys with a rich sauce e.g. béarnaise, will also suit roast ribs of Beef or grilled Rump.
Château BELLE-VUE results from a terroir whose history merges with that of the finest wines of Bordeaux. Located on the commune typically “médocaine” of Macau, during the 18th century it was the seat of an active shipping industry, now the area is famous for its vineyards alone, this particular vineyard has undergone a true rebirth over the past decade. Château BELLE-VUE was a consistent performer more than 100 years ago and enjoyed a very good reputation from the 19th century taking many awards: including Gold medals in Amsterdam in (1895), Paris (1900) and Bordeaux (1907). Over the last dozen or so vintages, notably since 1999, the wines of Château BELLE-VUE have been regularly distinguished with honours and medals in wine competitions and in the international wine press. The 10 hectare vineyard is located on a plateau with deep gravely soil (7-10 metres deep) adjacent to Château Giscours (Margaux AOC). The soil is naturally well drained, enabling the grapes to ripen early.
The fruit is all handpicked, destemmed and hand sorted, spends between 4 to 6 weeks in contact with the skins and Malolactic fermentation takes place in select ultrafine Hungarian and French oak barrel, the wine then spends approximately 16 months barrel maturation period of which 40% is new. Bottled unfiltered.