2010 Bellevue (Saint Emilion)

I rated this wine far higher from barrel. I only had a chance to see this wine once and the final blend of 98% and 2% Cabernet Franc was rigid, closed, tannic and not strutting its stuff. I didn’t detect anything off in the bottle, but this certainly seemed to have far more potential when tasted it from barrel. The fact that co-owner Hubert de Bouard is involved says to me that I’m probably off-base rather than the wine, but that’s the way it tasted, and all I can do is report that. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t the time or opportunity to re-taste it. This wine comes from a fabulously located 18-acre estate in what is considered one of the finest neighborhoods of St.-Emilion, sandwiched between such chateaux as Angelus, Beausejour Duffau, and Beausejour-Becot.

Very dark. Slightly muted nose (I did taste it immediately after stablemate Angélus) and pretty harsh acidity and tannin. Very dry finish. A bit uncomfortable and drying to taste at the moment. (JR)

Very dark crimson. Lively. Muscular and confident but pretty chewy on the end. Very firm! (JR)