Chateau Belle-Vue Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Chateau Belle Vue

Learn everything about Chateau Belle-Vue Haut Medoc with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Belle-Vue History, Overview

The modern era for Chateau Belle-Vue starts when the estate was purchased by Vincent Mulliez in 2004. Vincent Mulliez, who earned his fortune while working at JP Morgan investments in London, made considerable improvements to the estate and its wines before his untimely death at the age of 44 in 2010.

Making his early death even worse was the fact that his efforts began paying off by that point in time as Chateau Belle-Vue has been producing better and better wines in vintage after vintage.

Today, Chateau Belle-Vue is still the property of the Mulliez family who is more renowned for owning the massive Auchan supermarket chain in France.

Chateau Belle-Vue, which is not to be confused with the Chateau Bellevue in St. Emilion, is located in the Haut Medoc appellation of Bordeaux is situated just slightly south of one of the original drainage ditches (built by the Dutch) separating Chateau Belle-Vue from Chateau Giscours in Margaux.

Chateau Belle-Vue is a young estate. The first vintage was 1996, when the owner at the time, Remy Fouin took his plots from his other estate, Chateau de Gironville, and sought to make a wine worthy of the Margaux appellation.

Starting with the 2016 vintage, Chateau Belle-Vue began producing a small amount of wine made from 100%, old vine Petit Verdot. In fact, their Petit Verdot vines are some of the oldest in Bordeaux, dating back as far as 1936. The wine is aged in a combination of new and used, French oak barrels, Austrian oak barrels, and Amphora. The wine is sold as a generic AOC Bordeaux.

In November 2021, Chateau Belle-Vue was sold to the massive wine conglomerate, Treasury Wine Estates which own various vineyards in Napa Valley and Australia, most prominently Penfolds. This is not their only purchase in Bordeaux, as they also own Chateau Cambon La Pelouse and Chateau de Gironville in the Haut-Medoc appellation as well as Chateau Bolaire, Bordeaux Superieur.

Chateau Belle-Vue Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 15-hectare vineyard of Chateau Belle-Vue is planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 15% Petit Verdot. The Carmenere has been removed from the vineyard. The vines are planted to a vine density of 6,700 vines per hectare and are on average, 30 years of age. Located in the southern part of the appellation, the vineyards are well placed in the commune of Macau. The terroir is mostly gravel soils.

A lot of work goes into producing this Left Bank wine. At Belle-Vue the work starts in the vineyard where they practice debudding, deleafing, crop-thinning, and hand harvesting.

The fruit is table-sorted and, after a 20-day cold soak at 5 degrees Celsius, the wine is fermented in stainless steel vats with a long, 45-day maceration with frequent, gravity-driven, delestages. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels.

During the first three months in the barrel, the wine is regularly stirred on its post-malo lees. The wine of Chateau Belle-Vue is aged in 40% new French oak barrels for about 14 months, depending on the power and character of the vintage. On average, the production of Chateau Belle-Vue is close to 6,000 cases of Bordeaux wine per vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Belle-Vue are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010 and 2009 and 2005.

Today, the owner of Chateau Belle-Vue also controls two other Bordeaux estates that have earned a strong reputation for producing good quality Bordeaux wine that offers quality, character, and even better, they sell at a fair price; Chateau Bolarie located in the Bordeaux Superieur appellation and Chateau de Gironville.

When to Drink Chateau Belle-Vue, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Belle-Vue needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Belle-Vue is usually better with at least 3-7 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Belle-Vue offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 4-14 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau Belle-Vue, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Belle-Vue is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Belle-Vue is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Belle-Vue is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

www.chateau-belle-vue.com

Château Belle-Vue (Haut-Médoc) Wine Tasting Notes

20 Vintages 82,169 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2020
89
The nose with its flowers, cherries and herbs gets things going. The palate is medium-bodied, with ample fruit, along with a strong, savory, herbal and chalky, green olive character in the finish. It is interesting to note that Belle-Vue is one of the few Bordeaux wines produced using 5 allowable grape varieties. Drink from 2024-2038.

The nose with its flowers, cherries and herbs gets things going. The palate is medium-bodied, with ample fruit, along with a strong, savory, herbal and chalky, green olive character in the finish. It is interesting to note that Belle-Vue is one of the few Bordeaux wines produced using 5 allowable grape varieties. Drink from 2024-2038.

1,077 Views   Tasted
Spicy black raspberries, tobacco, cedar and flowers work on the nose, while on the palate the wine is bright, chewy, crisp and fresh with endnotes of savory kirsch and peppery currants. Belle-Vue is one of the few Bordeaux wines produced using 5 allowable grape varieties. 89-91 Pts

Spicy black raspberries, tobacco, cedar and flowers work on the nose, while on the palate the wine is bright, chewy, crisp and fresh with endnotes of savory kirsch and peppery currants. Belle-Vue is one of the few Bordeaux wines produced using 5 allowable grape varieties. 89-91 Pts

2,079 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Inky in color with purple accents, the wine offers a jammy, peppery, savory core of dark red and blue fruits. Full-bodied, spicy, intense, dark and rich, with a palate staining, and peppery, crisp, dense, black and blue fruit finish, it is an interesting wine. In fact, it is one of the few 100% Petit Verdot wines produced in Bordeaux today. 89-91 Pts

Inky in color with purple accents, the wine offers a jammy, peppery, savory core of dark red and blue fruits. Full-bodied, spicy, intense, dark and rich, with a palate staining, and peppery, crisp, dense, black and blue fruit finish, it is an interesting wine. In fact, it is one of the few 100% Petit Verdot wines produced in Bordeaux today. 89-91 Pts

1,008 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Already expressive with notes of flowers, savory herbs. cedar, dark red fruits and tobacco leaf. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, fresh and polished with a round, fruit packed finish. Belle-Vue (Haut-Médoc) is one of the few Bordeaux produced using 5 allowable grape varieties. Drink from 2023-2038.

Already expressive with notes of flowers, savory herbs. cedar, dark red fruits and tobacco leaf. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, fresh and polished with a round, fruit packed finish. Belle-Vue (Haut-Médoc) is one of the few Bordeaux produced using 5 allowable grape varieties. Drink from 2023-2038.

1,634 Views   Tasted
One of the few Bordeaux produced using 5 allowable grape varieties, the wine is medium-bodied, floral and fresh, with a fruity character, soft tannins and a tangy, sweet and tart, red fruit with a citrus-overtone finish. 89-91 Pts

One of the few Bordeaux produced using 5 allowable grape varieties, the wine is medium-bodied, floral and fresh, with a fruity character, soft tannins and a tangy, sweet and tart, red fruit with a citrus-overtone finish. 89-91 Pts

3,442 Views   Tasted
2019
89
Inky dark in color, the wine pops with notes of black raspberries, flowers, spice, blackberries and green leafy herbs. The wine is creamy, fresh and fruity, with a round, spicy, fruit packed finish. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot. This is a bit tannic, so give it a few years of cellaring before pulling the cork. Drink from 2022-2034.

Inky dark in color, the wine pops with notes of black raspberries, flowers, spice, blackberries and green leafy herbs. The wine is creamy, fresh and fruity, with a round, spicy, fruit packed finish. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot. This is a bit tannic, so give it a few years of cellaring before pulling the cork. Drink from 2022-2034.

722 Views   Tasted
Jammy, juicy, spicy and fresh, as well as full-bodied and concentrated, you experience a strong, powerful tart-mouth presence from start to finish here. Some tasters are going to like this more than others. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot. 86-88 Pts

Jammy, juicy, spicy and fresh, as well as full-bodied and concentrated, you experience a strong, powerful tart-mouth presence from start to finish here. Some tasters are going to like this more than others. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot. 86-88 Pts

1,757 Views   Tasted
2018
91
The melange of flowers, spice-box, cherries, wet earth and cocoa smells just great. On the palate, things get even better with all the sweet, fresh, energetic, juicy, ripe, soft, textured, red fruits, spice and herbs in the finish. One of the few Bordeaux produced using all 5 allowable grape varieties, the wine was made blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere.

The melange of flowers, spice-box, cherries, wet earth and cocoa smells just great. On the palate, things get even better with all the sweet, fresh, energetic, juicy, ripe, soft, textured, red fruits, spice and herbs in the finish. One of the few Bordeaux produced using all 5 allowable grape varieties, the wine was made blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere.

2,647 Views   Tasted
Floral, polished, sweet and spicy, the wine is elegant, juicy, medium-bodied and lusty on the palate. One of the few Bordeaux produced using all 5 allowable grape varieties, the wine was made blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere. 90-92 Pts

Floral, polished, sweet and spicy, the wine is elegant, juicy, medium-bodied and lusty on the palate. One of the few Bordeaux produced using all 5 allowable grape varieties, the wine was made blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere. 90-92 Pts

2,662 Views   Tasted
2018
90
Dark and intense in color, the wine is equally deep and intense with its blast of spicy, peppery, black and blue fruit core of fruits. Full-bodied and concentrated, the wine is a peppery, palate-staining blast of fruit that coats your taste receptors with black and blue peppery berries and a touch of bitter espresso. Some tasters are going to like this more than others. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot.

Dark and intense in color, the wine is equally deep and intense with its blast of spicy, peppery, black and blue fruit core of fruits. Full-bodied and concentrated, the wine is a peppery, palate-staining blast of fruit that coats your taste receptors with black and blue peppery berries and a touch of bitter espresso. Some tasters are going to like this more than others. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot.

1,554 Views   Tasted
Don't plan a trip to the dentist after tasting this wine. It's inky, it's going to stain your teeth. Massive, powerful, rich, fleshy, dark and spicy, it reminds me of a Napa wine. Some tasters are going to like this more than others. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot. 87-89 Pts

Don't plan a trip to the dentist after tasting this wine. It's inky, it's going to stain your teeth. Massive, powerful, rich, fleshy, dark and spicy, it reminds me of a Napa wine. Some tasters are going to like this more than others. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot. 87-89 Pts

2,194 Views   Tasted
2017
89
Dark in color, the wine is fresh, spicy and crisp with a lean to dark fruits. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot.

Dark in color, the wine is fresh, spicy and crisp with a lean to dark fruits. This is a rarity in Bordeaux as it is one of the few wines made from 100% Petit Verdot.

2,071 Views   Tasted
2017
89
Juicy, fresh, spicy black raspberries with a crunchy, bright character, soft tannins and a forward approach are found here. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.5% ABV.

Juicy, fresh, spicy black raspberries with a crunchy, bright character, soft tannins and a forward approach are found here. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.5% ABV.

2,366 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Quite spicy, fresh, floral and full-bodied, with a ripe, round blast of fruit and spice, good concentration and lush textures.

Quite spicy, fresh, floral and full-bodied, with a ripe, round blast of fruit and spice, good concentration and lush textures.

3,079 Views   Tasted
Soft tannins, juicy, spicy, fruits with a bite of crisp, crunchy berries and licorice in the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot and reached 13.5% ABV.

Soft tannins, juicy, spicy, fruits with a bite of crisp, crunchy berries and licorice in the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot and reached 13.5% ABV.

5,499 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Opaque, deep in color, with purple accents, this is quite a rarity in Bordeaux, being made from 100% Petit Verdot. The wine is massive, dense, mouth filling, long, spicy and crisp.

Opaque, deep in color, with purple accents, this is quite a rarity in Bordeaux, being made from 100% Petit Verdot. The wine is massive, dense, mouth filling, long, spicy and crisp.

3,305 Views   Tasted
2015
91
With a deep, rich, color along with boysenberry, cocoa, soft tannins and a spicy, floral ripe nose, you also enjoy round, smoky, black cherries in the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.5% ABV. 90 - 92 Pts

With a deep, rich, color along with boysenberry, cocoa, soft tannins and a spicy, floral ripe nose, you also enjoy round, smoky, black cherries in the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.5% ABV. 90 - 92 Pts

5,210 Views   Tasted
2014
90
Soft tannins and a spicy, floral and ripe nose are coupled with fresh, smoky black cherries in the finish. This should be quite tasty on release. The wine was made from a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 22% Petit Verdot and reached 13.5% ABV. 89-91 Pts

Soft tannins and a spicy, floral and ripe nose are coupled with fresh, smoky black cherries in the finish. This should be quite tasty on release. The wine was made from a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 22% Petit Verdot and reached 13.5% ABV. 89-91 Pts

3,928 Views   Tasted
2013
87
The wine is floral and spicy, serving up dark raspberries and a medium-bodied, bold style. From a blend of is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 24% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13% ABV. 86-88 Pts

The wine is floral and spicy, serving up dark raspberries and a medium-bodied, bold style. From a blend of is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 24% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13% ABV. 86-88 Pts

3,503 Views   Tasted
2012
88
With oak, licorice and dark berries, this wine is spicy, fresh and lively, offering good character. 88-90 Pts

With oak, licorice and dark berries, this wine is spicy, fresh and lively, offering good character. 88-90 Pts

2,670 Views   Tasted
2011
88
From an assemblage of 46 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and one of the larger percentages of Petit Verdot at 23%, the wine reached 13% ABV and will be aged in 40% new oak. Cassis and licorice, medium bodied and a soft, red berry finish. 87-89 Pts

From an assemblage of 46 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and one of the larger percentages of Petit Verdot at 23%, the wine reached 13% ABV and will be aged in 40% new oak. Cassis and licorice, medium bodied and a soft, red berry finish. 87-89 Pts

3,038 Views   Tasted
2010
89
Chateau Belle-Vue From a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, oak, vanilla, forest floor, floral and cassis aromas open to a medium bodied, soft textured wine offering ample fresh cassis and dark cherry. 88-90 Pts

Chateau Belle-Vue From a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, oak, vanilla, forest floor, floral and cassis aromas open to a medium bodied, soft textured wine offering ample fresh cassis and dark cherry. 88-90 Pts

7,577 Views   Tasted
2009
90
From a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and a large percentage Petit Verdot that clocks in at 20%, the wine is packed with sweet, jammy black cherries, coffee, licorice, blackberry and earth, Soft, round and forward, this is already fun to drink. It should be available for about $20. This is an outstanding Bordeaux value wine.

From a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and a large percentage Petit Verdot that clocks in at 20%, the wine is packed with sweet, jammy black cherries, coffee, licorice, blackberry and earth, Soft, round and forward, this is already fun to drink. It should be available for about $20. This is an outstanding Bordeaux value wine.

5,879 Views   Tasted
2008
87
Medium bodied, with red and black plums, spice, olive and floral scents, this is already drinking well. This Haut Medoc wine was produced from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Petit Verdot representing the highest percentage of Petit Verdot planted in Bordeaux! Later vintages show a marked increase in style, quality and depth.

Medium bodied, with red and black plums, spice, olive and floral scents, this is already drinking well. This Haut Medoc wine was produced from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Petit Verdot representing the highest percentage of Petit Verdot planted in Bordeaux! Later vintages show a marked increase in style, quality and depth.

5,727 Views   Tasted
2006
90
Deeply colored, this Haut Medoc has developed nicely. From a unique blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, the wine offers licorice, olives, blackberries, floral and earthy scents. Round and lush, this elegant wine remains one of the better priced, Bordeaux wine values. This won't make old bones. Who cares? It drinks well now and it runs a little over $20.

Deeply colored, this Haut Medoc has developed nicely. From a unique blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, the wine offers licorice, olives, blackberries, floral and earthy scents. Round and lush, this elegant wine remains one of the better priced, Bordeaux wine values. This won't make old bones. Who cares? It drinks well now and it runs a little over $20.

2,945 Views   Tasted
2005
88
Fully mature, and slightly on the rustic side, there is still plenty of spicy, dark red fruits and licorice on the nose and palate to enjoy. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and 3% Carmenere.

Fully mature, and slightly on the rustic side, there is still plenty of spicy, dark red fruits and licorice on the nose and palate to enjoy. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and 3% Carmenere.

4,596 Views   Tasted