Château Belair Monange Annonce de BelAir-Monange Saint Emilion 2018

Château Bélair-Monange was born from the fusion of the vineyards of Châteaux Bélair and Magdelaine, both historic First Classified Growths of Saint-Émilion. Tracing its origins back to Roman times, the vineyard of Château Bélair is situated at the highest point of Saint-Émilion’s famed limestone plateau. Château Magdelaine, a contiguous cru acquired in 1952, has always been renowned for the remarkable elegance of its wines. Château Bélair-Monange expresses the unique style of the greatest parcels of these two complementary terroirs. An important restructuring of the vineyard was initiated in 2008 immediately following the acquisition of the estate by Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix. Another wine embodying the inherent qualities of the vineyard – minerality, concentration of red berries, balance and length – emerged in 2014: ANNONCE DE BÉLAIR-MONANGE.  

Produced in very limited quantities, of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, ANNONCE enjoys the same attention as the Grand Vin: meticulous vineyard work undertaken with respect for the environment followed by a manual harvest once the grapes have reached optimal maturity. Vinification takes place in concrete and stainless-steel vats, where maceration and extraction are gentle and measured in order to allow the fruit its highest expression. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels. Although ANNONCE exhibits great charm in its youth, a few years of cellaring or a few hours of decanting will be largely rewarded. 

Appellation: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 
Classification: 1° Grand Cru Classé   
Vineyard size: 23.5 hectares (58 acres)  
Average vine age: 25 years
Soil Types:  Limestone on the plateau Blue clay on limestone in the slopes   
Viticulture: Certified HVE3, Soil tilling (4 ways), Vine growth management adapted to the climatic conditions   
Harvest: Manual harvest   
Harvest: Manual harvest  Double sorting: optical and manual
Winemaking: in thermo-regulated concrete and stainless-steel vats Gentle & controlled maceration & extraction   
Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels (30% new)