Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
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Included as a 5th growth in the 1855 classification thanks to the quality of its deep gravel soil, Chateau Belgrave has been managed by the negociant firm of Dourthe since 1979. An attractive 18th century hunting lodge surrounded by sixty hectares of vines in a single block, Belgrave is located in the commune of Saint-Laurent, separated from the Saint-Julien appellation only by a small stream.
A great deal of work, passion, and energy have gone into producing wines worthy of one of the finest terroirs in the Medoc. The vineyard has been entirely renovated and is looked after with great care and attention.
The aging cellar was also refurbished in 2007 in an unabashedly modern style epitomising the rebirth of the estate. Thanks to this in-depth modernization and expert care, Chateau Belgrave is now among the elite of Medoc great growths.
One of the most—if not the most—famous red wine regions of the world, the Medoc reaches from the city of Bordeaux northwest along the left bank of the Gironde River almost all the way to the Atlantic. Its vineyards climb along a band of flatlands, sandwiched between the coastal river marshes and the pine forests in the west. The entire region can only claim to be three to eight miles wide (at its widest), but it is about 50 miles long.
While the Medoc encompasses the Haut Medoc, and thus most of the classed-growth villages (Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St-Julien, Pauillac and St. Estephe) it is really only those wines produced in the Bas-Medoc that use the Medoc appellation name. The ones farther down the river, and on marginally higher ground, are eligible to claim the Haut Medoc appellation, or their village or cru status.
While the region can’t boast a particularly dramatic landscape, impressive chateaux disperse themselves among the magically well-drained gravel soils that define the area. This optimal soil draining capacity is completely necessary and ideal in the Medoc's damp, maritime climate. These gravels also serve well to store heat in cooler years.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.