Chateau Belair Monange 2018

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck    An incredible expression of Merlot grown on limestone soils, the 2018 Château Belair-Monange (90/10 Merlot and Cabernet Franc) sports a dense purple hue as well as powerful notes of blackcurrants, kirsch liqueur, flowery incense, chalky minerality, and white truffle. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully concentrated, it's a serious 2018 offering integrated oak, ripe yet building tannins, and one hell of a great finish. The finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted, it's a wine to seek out and hide in the cellar for a good 5-7 years. It's going to evolve for 30-40 years.

98 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate    Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple coloured 2018 Belair Monange rolls effortlessly out of the glass with gregarious scents of black cherry preserves, stewed plums and boysenberries, plus suggestions of Indian spices, rose oil, Ceylon tea and garrigue, with a waft of tilled soil. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Wonderfully hedonic and conceivably drinkable now, give it 4-5 years in the cellar to allow the earthy/savoury nuances to fully emerge from within the fruit and drink it over the next 25 years or more.

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast    Graceful Merlot shines in this wine. It has fines touch of tannins and acidity that come through to give the wine freshness and structure. It is elegant but with enough power and density to age well.