St. Emilion 的 Chateau Bellevue 以他們的出色風土聞名，古羅馬人也意識到這一點。如果當你在葡萄園內步行，很易就發現到由古羅馬葡萄種植者留下來的種植痕跡。而Chateau Bellevue 的現代時代始於17世紀，當時由 Fief de Bellevue 擁有並根據傳統以他的名字命名酒莊，在 1930年賣予 de Conink 及 Pradel de Lavaux 兩個家族，現時由 Hubert de Bouard擁有。
這個波爾多酒莊土壤是由粘土和石灰岩組成，種植了98% Merlot 和 2% Cabernet Franc，平均樹齡為40年。以前酒莊有更多土地種植 Cabernet Franc，但都讓出了給 Merlot，並成為在St. Emilion 區最高 Merlot 種植率之一的酒莊。不過土壤中盡是古羅馬殘留遺跡，又因有法律保護，不能破壞遺跡，令種植變得困難。這情況於波爾多右岸十分常見，讓遊走 Chateau Bellevue 成為有趣的體驗。
產區保護條例：
波爾多 AOC St. Emilion Grand Cru
產地：
法國波爾多
種類：
紅葡萄酒
土壤：
粘土和石灰岩
葡萄品種：
Merlot, Cabernet Franc
釀造：
葡萄用人手收成，並於四張桌上揀選。在混凝土和橡木桶內發酵，每批葡萄分開發酵。於2009年第一次有 40% 的酒在木桶釀造，蘋果酸-乳酸二次發酵於100% 新桶進行，在100%新法國桶陳年12個月，首6個月與酒渣一起。
品酒筆記：
2003：
2003年份成熟度極佳，具有礦物感，以及利口酒的濃度。黑覆盆子、甜櫻桃酒與黑果的香氣沉穩。酒體飽滿，非常強大，中段鮮明，尾段單寧溫和、悠長而有力。(適飲期: 2011-2025+)
2005 :
濃厚的紫色，提供大量的白堊礦物質。帶有李子、藍莓、黑覆盆莓和櫻桃的果香。口感飽滿，有不錯的結構、純度和悠長的餘韻。至少未來20年都會很出色。(適飲期: 2015-2035)
2006 :
由94% Merlot與6% Cabernet Franc混釀而成。2006年反映出當地的風土，具有碎石、金屬味，並混合了花香、櫻桃和黑莓的特徵。但它給人男性化的感覺、結構宏大和單寧強硬。
2008 :
深沉紫紅色。絲滑黑梅、乳酪、無花果、花卉、焦糖、煙燻、薄荷等香氣。味道集中，多層次的成熟黑莓味道，丹寧、礦物和木桶感覺濃厚，有現代感和平衡。收結的單寧和木桶也十分明顯，窖藏能力不俗。
2011 :
2011年份的Château Bellevue有著明亮的紫色，以及藍莓及黑莓的果香，與碎石及春天花香交織起來。複雜中帶純淨，中度酒體，收結帶有良好酸度，及如石灰的性格。窖藏數年後效果會更佳。未來10-15年皆是其適飲期。
Chateau Bellevue in St. Emilion is known to have great terroir. The ancient Romans were aware of this. In fact, when walking the vineyards, it’s easy to spot remains of the original plantings left by ancient Roman vintners. The modern era of Chateau Bellevue begins in the 17th century. At that time, the Fief de Bellevue, became the owner. As was the custom of the day, he renamed the Bordeaux vineyard using his name. Chateau Bellevue hands in the 1930’s when it was purchased by the day the de Conink family along with the Pradel de Lavaux family as a joint venture. Now it was owned by Hubert de Bouard.
The Bordeaux vineyard of Chateau Bellevue, with its clay and limestone soil is planted to 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc with vines that average 40 years of age. Previously, the estate had a lot more Cabernet Franc planted in the vineyards. But that has been removed in favour of Merlot. Chateau Bellevue maintains one of the highest planting of Merlot in St. Emilion. The ancient Roman ruins found throughout the soil, make it difficult to plant in some areas, as the remains are protected by law and cannot be disturbed. However, this makes it an amazing walk through the vineyards of Chateau Bellevue, as the remains are easy to see scattered about in the Right Bank soil.
Hubert de Bouard refers to the estate as the Petrus of St. Emilion, due to it’s high concentration. Chateau Bellevue is a labour intensive wine to make.
Appellation:
AOC St. Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
Country of Origin:
Bordeaux, France
Type:
Red/Rouge (Still)
Soil:
Clay and limestone
Grape Varieties:
Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Vinification:
After the fruit is hand harvested from the St. Emilion vineyards, the grapes are taken to the reception area and placed on four sorting tables. Vinification of Chateau Bellevue takes place in a combination of cement and oak tanks. Each block is fermented separately. In 2009, for the first time, 40% of the wine was fermented in barrel. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 100% new oak. The wine of Chateau Bellevue is aged in 100% new, French oak barrels. Sur lies ageing takes place in barrel for the first six months.
Tasting Notes:
2003 Vintage:
The 2003 possesses superb ripeness as well as a stony, mineral liqueur-like intensity, a reticent but promising perfume of black raspberries, sweet kirsch, and blacker fruits, a full-bodied, powerful, concentrated attack and mid-palate, and a blockbuster, long, powerful, moderately tannic finish. (Drink date: 2011-2025+)
2005 Vintage:
It offers plenty of crushed, chalky minerality, notes of plum, blueberry, black raspberry and cherry fruit, a dense purple color, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and fabulous structure, purity and length. It should drink well for at least another 20+ years. (Drink date: 2015-2035)
2006 Vintage:
A blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. 2006 represents the essence of terroir with its crushed rock/steely notes intermixed with flower, cherry, and blackberry characteristics. But it has muscular, structured, forbiddingly tannic.
2008 Vintage:
Deep purplish ruby colour. Creamy blackberry, yoghurt, fig, flower, caramel, smoky and mint aromas. Concentrated flavours with layers of ripe blackberry, dense tannin, minerality and oak, modern and balanced. Obvious tannin and oak in the finish, tremendous cellaring potential.
2011 Vintage:
The 2011 boasts an opaque purple color along with copious blueberry and blackberry fruit notes interwoven with crushed rock and spring flower characteristics. Already complex with good purity, medium body, and a finish dominated by acidity as well as a chalky character, it will benefit from several years in the cellar. It should drink well for 10-15 years thereafter. (Drink date: 2017-2032)
