96-
97
JAMES SUCKLING: "This well-defined and sophisticated wine shows a gorgeous center-palate of near perfectly ripe fruit. Lots of dark berries and minerals with some pine, while the texture is full and compact with layers of well-integrated, fine tannins. The finish is seamless. Just a hint of salt at the end of the pretty fruit. 72% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon."
18+
WEINWISSER: "72 % Merlot, 18 % Cabernet Franc, 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon, pH 3.56, 45hl/ha, 14.5 Vol.-%. Feingliedriges, sehr delikates Bouquet, sattes Veilchenparfüm, dahinter edle Cassiswürze, Koriander, heller Tabak und Holundersaft. Am komplexen saftigen Gaumen mit samtiger Textur, perfekt balancierter Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und gut strukturiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten, nicht enden wollenden Finale ein Korb mit blauen Beeren, Graphit und zartkörniger Adstringenz gepaart mit edler Salznote. Auf dem gleichen Niveau wie der 22er. "Ein Jahrgang der Winzer", beschreibt die Technische Direktorin Emmanuelle Fulchi den Jahrgang 2023."
95
VINUM: "Glasklare Frucht, komplex, mineralisch geprägt, florale Noten, viel Tiefgang; dicht und druckvoll, dabei federleicht, ausgezeichnete Tanninqualität, ungemein knackig, saftig, und langanhaltend. Ein Bellefont-Belcier wie aus dem Stein gemeisselt. Für eine kleine Ewigkeit gebaut."
95
DECANTER: "Wonderful wet stone freshness and vividly floral. Tasted twice, with one sample showing especially savoury aspects but both with polished tannin and impressive structure from the ripe Cabernet Sauvignons, especially. Crafted from grapes picked between 19 September and 5 October, this wine shows superb lift on the long finish, with salinity and freshness, and a hint of fine chocolate leaves the impression of 'contained opulence'. Ageing in 30% new oak, the pH is 3.56."
93-
95
THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Bellefont Belcier demonstrates this property's continuing renaissance, exhibiting more density and seriousness as the team starts to get the best out of their holdings on the plateau of Saint-Émilion overlooking the slopes that surround the château. Offering up aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with hints of burning embers and iris, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with a layered core of fruit, powdery structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish."
94
FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezenter Ockerrand. Zart nach kandierten Veilchen und Lakritze, reife Herzkirschen, feines Brombeerkonfit, schwarze Kirschen, kandierte Mandarinenzesten. Saftig, elegant, frische dunkle Waldbeeren, kraftvolle, tragende Tannine, salzige Mineralität im Abgang, kalkige Terroirwürze im Nachhall, bleibt haften, vermittelt Frische und Länge, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."
93-
95
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Spice, crushed rocks, flowers, red plums, incense, and mint create the nose. On the palate, the wine is racy, silky, lifted, elegant, and polished, with cocoa-topped black cherries, and plums from start to finish. The wine blends 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.14.5% ABV, 3.56 pH. Harvesting took place September 19 - October 5. Drink from 2027 - 2048."
92-
94
JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2023 Château Bellefont-Belcier is beautiful, with a more focused, elegant, mineral-laced style. Black raspberries, chalky minerality, and spring flowers are just some of its nuances, and it's medium-bodied, with a supple, layered mouthfeel, ripe yet present tannins, and a solid spine of acidity. It's going to need some time, but it's clearly a beautiful wine. The blend is 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, resting in 30% new oak, with 40% in once-used barrels and 30% in foudre."
90-
92
LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bellefont-Belcier 2023 has a deep garnet-purple color. It storms out of the glass with powerful scents of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and cedar chest, followed by hints of tar, garrigue, and iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is a little oak-dominated at this stage, with a great core of black fruits and ripe, rounded tannins, finishing earthy."
