Lot presentation

Bellet Les Coteaux de Bellet Vieilles Vignes 1997

The wine

Bellet's vineyard lies in the commune of Nice and has ancient origins that date back to the founding of Marseille. At the time, there were more than 1000 hectares of vines. Certified as an AOC in 1941, the appellation currently only has 50 hectares of vines in production. Planted at high altitude between 200 and 300 metres on the last foothills of the Alps, Bellet's vineyard benefits from a favourable microclimate, with soil consisting of rounded pebbles and light sand; there is relatively little rain, accompanied by wind (the Mistral and Tramontana) from the valley. The AOC authorizes Bellet to make white wines from Rolle (or Vermentino), which predominates, and Chardonnay. The reds consist of a blend of Folle Noire, Braquet, Grenache and Cinsault. Bellet's wines have been unfailingly successful, appreciated by famous palates such as Louis XIV and Thomas Jefferson...