Chateau Belair Monange Saint Emilion 2008

Formerly known as Chateau Belair, the Belair Monange estate has made world class wines for hundreds of years. In fact, their history can be traced back as far as the 14th century, and the late Bernard Ginestet even called Belair, 'the Lafite Rothschild among the hillsides of St.-Emilion.' Chateau Belair-Monange is the immediate neighbor of Chateau Ausone, located on the southernmost slope of Saint-Emilion know as the "Côte", with a magnificent view over the valley of the Dordogne. This iconic vineyard is 6.2 acres in size, with a great diversity of soils, predominantly limestone. The limestone cap-rock is responsible for the excellent drainage. The vineyard has a south and east exposure. It is divided into twelve sub-plots, each with its own terroir characteristics. The vineyard is planted to 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc.

Robert Parker reports: 'Formerly known as Chateau Belair, 2008 is the first vintage in which Christian Moueix, his son, Edouard, and new oenologist, Eric Murisasco, had 100% control at Belair-Monange, and they have admirably demonstrated just what this great terroir is capable of producing. Cropped at an unreal 18 hectoliters per hectare, it appears ready to compete with its near-by neighbor, Ausone.'