Chateau Bellerive 2014 Medoc

Chateau Bellerive is a medium bodied classic Claret made from a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It has attractive red fruit notes along with darker black notes on the palate, supple tannins and graphite notes. There are lovely touches of spice which add complexity along with cigar box and leather notes. It is one of those wines that you just want to keep on drinking! I should ask them to bottle some magnums!

Chateau Bellerive consists of 14 hectares in the north of the Médoc, opposite the Gironde estuary. The vines are planted on three plateaux made up of clay and gravel. The grapes are picked by hand, thereby facilitating the selection of ripe bunches. Vinification is in concrete, which has the advantage of protecting the must from thermal shock during fermentation. Ageing is carried out in oak, which enhances the ageing potential of the wine. The mix of grapes here makes for a complex wine. The Merlot brings red fruit and supple tannins, the Cabernets bring intense colour and the Petit Verdot adds a touch of spice, which is enhanced by the barrel ageing. Four generations of the Perrin family have owned and run this estate.