Lot presentation

Château Bellerive Cru Bourgeois 1994

The wine

Château Bellerive was one of the first to join the Crus Bourgeois classification in 1932. This Médoc property spans 14 hectares of vines across three, distinct soil plains. One is rich in chalk and clay, one in clay and gravel, and the other in sand and gravel. This is ideal for allowing the different varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) to reach their optimal maturity. Meticulous work is carried out in the vines, including when the grapes are picked entirely by hand. Once harvested, the grapes are put in concrete vats for several days at a low temperature to confer all the necessary texture whilst preserving their fruitiness. The fermentation takes several weeks. The length of maturation depends on the vintage but usually takes around 18 months, and is always in oak casks. It is quite deep in colour and its nose is distinguished by complex aromas of redcurrant, blackberry, chocolate and toasted notes. On the palate it has a silky attack and incredible freshness, far from the cliché you might expect from a Bordeaux. The same aromatic palette is present, elevated by some coffee notes. It should be aged for a good ten years to reveal all its potential.

About the Producer Château Bellerive

Located in the commune of Valeyrac, Château Bellerive commands a magnificent panoramic view of the Gironde estuary. The harvests are carried out manually. The vinification and ageing methods remain traditional.