Château Bélair-Monange 2017

A real success in the vintage, from an estate unaffected by frost. This wine is showing some beautiful floral notes, followed by a palate with lingering aromatics that tease. The well-handled, rich but flexible tannins lend an austerity that bodes well for ageing. The wine really opens up in the glass, and although it’s a tighter effort than in the past few years, they are staking their claim to be among the best St-Émilions on the plateau. This is a gorgeous wine, and that austerity is going to fill out beautifully during barrel ageing. Drinking Window: 2026-2040. Score – 95. (Jane Anson, decanter.com)