2016 Château Belle Vue, Cru Bourgeois, Médoc

A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 20% Petit Verdot, this is a very showy claret.

The deep, garnet colour in the glass hints at the concentration to follow, with rich, dark-fruit aromas and a hint of cigar box and spice.
 
As the nose suggests, the palate is bold and concentrated; blackcurrant fruit dominates initially, but thankfully it's not over-ripe or sweet, and there's a hint of redcurrant courtesy of the inclusion of petit verdot in the blend, with a lovely balance, structure and youthful freshness.
 
The finish is still laden with bold, dark fruit, but wrapped in a warming blanket of cedar and spice with a pleasing tannic grip and a delicate, almost savoury edge.
 
With the structure and concentration present in the wine at this stage, I'm certain there will be further evolution in the bottle over the next decade and beyond. As it stands, an hour or more in the decanter is well rewarded. 

James Russell-Grant | Mr.Wheeler