Château Bélair-Monange: Tasting & Drinking
As I have already made clear, despite this estate’s reputation during the 19th century – which seems to have been enviable – in more recent times the wines have not enjoyed the same reputation, style or price as those of neighbouring Château Ausone. This was true even though the two estates had a long-lasting connection in the shape of the Dubois-Challon family, who at one point owned both properties, and also in Pascal Delbeck, who was employed at Château Ausone for many years.
The wines of the old Château Belair tended to be lighter, considerably less concentrated, and on the whole less impressive. They were, to my palate, rather more reminiscent of the leaner style one finds in the peripheries of the appellation, especially the colder reaches of the plateau to the east, rather than from the prestigious, central, limestone plateau.
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