Country: France Region: Bordeaux (St. Emilion) Varietal: 100% Merlot Vintage: 2018 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Chateau Bellevue Description:  Chateau Bellevue has always been positioned alongside Premiers Grand Cru Classés. Standing upon one of Saint Emilion's finest terroirs, the vineyard follows the curves of the hill on the Eastern, Southern and Southern-Western sides, as well as on the plateau. Bordering on the highest point of the famous Saint-Emilion limestone plateau, the vines of Chateau Bellevue are spread over around seven hectares of south and south-west facing slopes, nestled side by side with the Premier Grand Cru Classés.  Tasting Notes: The 2018 Bellevue is deep garnet-purple coloured and gives up wonderfully expressive scents of baked black cherries, plum preserves and blueberry coulis with hints of mocha, liquorice, dried spearmint and chargrill plus a waft of cardamom and Indian spices. Medium to full-bodied with bags of rich, seductive fruit, it is laden with bright earthy sparks and has a soft, plush texture, finishing with fantastic freshness and energy.  "The nose is fruity, fresh and offers elegance as well as gourmandize. It reveals notes of juicy/ripe blackberry, juicy/ripe strawberry and small notes of juicy/ripe blueberry associated with fine hints of mild tobacco, liquorice as well as a very discreet hint of nutmeg. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, gourmandize, a mineral frame, tension, acidulous, suavity, freshness, a good finesse of the fat, fleshiness, a fine creaminess as well as fullness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy cassis, fleshy/juicy blackberry and small notes of juicy/fleshy wild strawberry associated with small touches of blueberry, violet, fine hints of caramelization, chocolate as well as very fine hints of toasted almond and an imperceptible hint of coffee. Tannins are structuring." - 93 - 94/100, VertdeVin