Château Belgrave 2011

Tasting notes and recommendations for Château Belgrave 2011

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a deep ruby-red color with purple highlights, reflecting fine concentration.

Nose

The nose displays lovely aromatic complexity, with notes of red fruit (blackcurrant, redcurrant) and dark fruit (blackberry, black cherry). Aromas of fine oak and sweet spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) complete this elegant bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers a refined, supple tannic structure. The generous mid-palate reveals juicy flavors of plum and blackberry, alongside notes of chocolate and cocoa. The flavorful finish lingers elegantly with aromas of crème de cassis.

Food and wine pairings

Château Belgrave 2011 pairs beautifully with roasted red meats, beef steaks in sauce, herb-roasted lamb, or duck à l’orange. It also goes very well with game dishes, mushroom-based preparations, or a platter of aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Château Belgrave 2011 benefits from decanting one to two hours before serving. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 15.5°C. This wine can be enjoyed through around 2026.

A Haut-Médoc wine with an elegant, structured character

The estate

Founded in 1845 by Bruno Devez, Château Belgrave is a 5ème Grand Cru Classé de 1855 located in the heart of the Médoc, in Bordeaux, on 60 hectares of deep gravel soils, at the gateway to Saint-Julien. At the beginning of the 20th century, Marcel Alibert definitively established the name “Belgrave” and distinguished himself in defending the classified growths. Since 1979, the estate has belonged to Maison Dourthe.

The vineyard

The Château Belgrave vineyard covers 59 hectares in the Haut-Médoc appellation, on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The vines, with an average age of around 25 years, are planted on deep gravel soils characteristic of this prestigious winegrowing area. This geological composition provides excellent drainage and contributes to the structure and aging potential of the wines produced.

The vintage

The 2011 vintage in Bordeaux proved particularly challenging for winegrowers. After early budbreak at the end of March and an exceptionally warm, dry spring, the vines experienced significant water stress. An unusually cool July then slowed ripening. Harvesting, among the earliest in Bordeaux history, began in mid-August. Rigorous grape selection proved essential to ensure quality. Estates with deep soils and old vines achieved the best results.

Winemaking and aging

Château Belgrave 2011 was vinified in temperature-controlled tanks, preceded by cold pre-fermentation maceration. Total maceration lasted about three weeks, with moderate extraction tailored to the characteristics of the vintage. Aging took place over 12 months in French oak barrels, with a measured proportion of new oak allowing harmonious integration without overpowering the fruit.

Grape varieties

Cabernet sauvignon (60%)
Merlot (35%)
Cabernet franc (5%)