Chateau Belair-Monange 2014

Belair-Monange was chosen by Christian Moueix in the memory of Anne-Adele Monange. Anne-Adele Monange is the mother of Jean-Pierre Moueix and the grandmother of Christian Moueix. The team Ets. Moueix began producing the wine in 2008 after taking control of the property from Patrick Delbeck. Under the direction of Edouard Moueix and Christian Moueix, they began conducting a more stringent selection in the vineyard, reducing yields, and also began picking later. This allowed for harvesting riper fruit. Another change took place in 2009 when they began using optical sorting.

There is an attractive wilted rose petal aroma that emerges with aeration, but I was seeking more intensity. The palate is better than the aromatics: silky smooth in texture, well-judged acidity, genuine depth and gentle grip in the mouth. There is tangible mineralité here, great focus with a sense of tension and "bite" towards the finish. 92 points, Robert Parker.

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc.