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The 2011 Belgrave shows medium ruby with garnet hues and earthy cedar, tobacco, and red-berry aromatics. As the wine unfolds in the glass, notes of cedar and tobacco evolve, inviting a deeper sensory experience. The firm tannins provide a defined structure, while the bright acidity leads to a long, austere finish, making it well-suited for extended cellaring.
The 2014 Belgrave displays deep ruby with purple highlights, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice, softer tannins, fuller body, and a smooth vanilla finish. Fruit-forward and immediately appealing with structure for medium-term ageing.
The stylistic differences stem from the weather and the winemaking response. The 2011 vintage in Haut-Médoc had a cool, wet season and a late harvest, preserving freshness but limiting ripeness. These conditions led to firm tannins, bright acidity, and a restrained structure. The cool nights locked in red-fruit aromatics, enhancing the wine's complex profile and contributing to its potential for cellaring.
In contrast, the 2014 vintage benefited from near-ideal growing conditions: a warm, dry summer with consistent temperatures enabled extended hang time and optimal phenolic ripeness. The Médoc’s gravel soils absorbed and radiated heat, ensuring even maturation across varietals. Harvest occurred under optimal conditions in late September, yielding physiologically ripe fruit with balanced sugars (13-13.5% alcohol), supple tannins, and concentrated flavour compounds. This results in plush fruit and velvety tannins on the palate, making the wines immediately appealing and providing excellent ageing potential.
Belgrave adapts winemaking to each vintage while letting terroir speak.
Both wines undergo temperature-controlled fermentation, then 12-14 months in French oak. The 2011 used 40% new oak for structural support; the 2014 used 35% to keep fruit forward. The blend—65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot—provides structure and complexity.
Within the Cru Bourgeois classification, Belgrave holds a distinguished position, balancing power and elegance. Comparative analysis highlights its unique standing: Château Chasse-Spleen (Moulis) offers greater concentration and tannic intensity, appealing to those who prefer powerful wines. Château Potensac (Médoc) shares the fruit-forward appeal of the 2014 Belgrave but with more pronounced structure for extended ageing. Château Le Crock (Saint-Estèphe) exemplifies the northern Médoc’s austerity, with firm tannins and pronounced minerality. Château d'Arsac (Margaux) emphasises aromatic refinement, silky texture and hints of masculinity. Château Paloumey (Haut-Médoc) produces polished, modern-styled wines with immediate accessibility. Château Malescasse (Haut-Médoc) combines traditional methods with precision viticulture for harmonious results. Stand and be counted among these great CBs, Belgrave distinguishes itself through exceptional terroir expression, consistent quality across vintages, and remarkable value, offering classified-growth complexity at Cru Bourgeois pricing.
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Ageing Potential. These vintages exhibit distinct maturation trajectories relevant to collectors. The 2011 drinks now and peak around 2027, with extended cellaring potential. The 2014 also drinks well now, but develops tertiary complexity after 2027. Both reward patience while terroir and winemaking philosophy ensure continuity. The 2011 represents classical Bordeaux—structured, restrained, and suitable for cellaring. The 2014 demonstrates modern accessibility without compromising ageing potential, offering generosity, polish, and immediate appeal. is part of the Cru Bourgeois classification, a group of respected estates in the Médoc region that produce quality wines often at a more accessible price point than classified growths. Haut-Médoc, where Belgrave is located, benefits from gravelly soils and a maritime climate, which are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends.
Château La Fleur Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 hails from Bordeaux's Right Bank and is a lovely wine from an excellent vintage. Nestled among legends like Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc, this 18th-century estate crafts its wines from the region's prized clay-limestone soils. Having such prestigious neighbours certainly adds to its appeal.
When you pour it, you’ll see a deep ruby colour that hints at what’s coming. The nose gives you dark cherry, plum, blackberry, vanilla, and a touch of earthiness. On the palate, it’s plush and chewy with dense fruit and velvety tannins. The bouquet is lively and slightly jammy, finishing with robust structure. I found it delightful to drink now, though it’ll evolve nicely over the next several years.
The blend is Merlot-dominant with Cabernet Franc and a hint of Cabernet Sauvignon from the northern slopes of Saint-Émilion. That warm 2015 vintage really shows—deeper, more concentrated flavours than 2014. You can drink this wine outdoors, but I’d suggest pairing it with Cantonese-stewed meats or roast pork. The sweet soy and five-spice really complement the wine’s vanilla and clove notes beautifully. Serve it slightly cool at 16-18°C and let it open in the glass—no need to decant.
Here's the thing: this wine's name might cause some confusion with La Fleur-Pétrus, but they're not the same wine. This one is approachable now, but also worth tucking away for a few years. It has a solid structure, though I wouldn't plan to cellar it for decades. Enjoy it within three to six years for the best experience. What I appreciate most is its classic character and seamless drinkability—it's a compelling alternative to its more famous (and pricier) neighbours. If you're looking for a Right Bank Bordeaux that delivers quality without the premium price tag, I think you'll really enjoy this one.
Updated: 23 hours ago
So, Desmirail. It’s a third-growth from the 1855 classification in Margaux—all about elegance and finesse. They’ve got this nice mix of modern equipment and old-school tradition going on, which gives you a wine you can actually drink young. Here’s the thing: their vineyards are spread across Cantenac, Soussans, and now Arsac too. That’s pushed the style lighter with these delicate floral and fruit notes, though honestly, the fruit quality may not quite hit what you’d expect from a classified growth. Not many writers talk about it, so getting a full picture is tricky, but it’s still a solid Margaux.
Now, the vineyard covers 37 hectares and is planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and just 1% Petit Verdot. It’s all on gravel, sand, and clay soils, and the vines are mature, over 25 years old. They’re into sustainable farming here, and they age the wine in 40% new oak, which gives you that fruity, toasty, earthy character with some structure.
Look, 2014 was tough, but this wine turned out well. When you nose it, you’re getting black cherries, violet, cedar, and tobacco leaf—really fragrant and floral. Take a sip: it’s medium-bodied with silky tannins, bright acidity, redcurrant, blackberry, those classic pencil shavings, and an earthy finish. Toasty, with some complexity, but I’ll be straight with you—it’s lighter than you’d expect for a classified growth, and the finish is pretty brief. Still, it’s approachable and pleasant.
Want to get the most out of it? Pair it with roasted lamb—skip the marinade—or grilled vegetables to play up those floral and fruity notes. Serve it slightly cool, around 18 °C, or even better, drop it to 16 °C and let it warm up in the glass.
The 2014’s actually fresher and a bit more intense than other vintages. And pricewise? It’s a great value by classified growth standards. It should age nicely for another 3 to 5 years.
