Belair Monange

History of Château Bélair-Monange

Château Bélair-Monange has a rich history, dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, when the first vineyards were planted on these lands. The estate was officially created in the 14th century by Sir Robert de Knolles, then governor of Guyenne. His family, who frenchified their name to "Canolle", retained ownership until 1916, thus spanning several centuries of history marked by major events such as the Hundred Years' War and the French Revolution. During this period, the estate's wine, then called "Cru de Canolle", forged a reputation for excellence in the Saint-Émilion region.

In 1802, the Canolle family marked an important step in the history of Bordeaux wine by being one of the first to bottle their production directly at the château, a practice then unheard of for the great Bordeaux wines. This bold gesture propelled the estate's reputation well beyond the region's borders.

In 1916, the Canolle family sold the property to Édouard Dubois-Challon, who already owned Château Ausone. Under his direction, Château Bélair continued to improve the quality of its wines, despite the challenges posed by diseases such as phylloxera. The estate remained in the Dubois-Challon family until 2008, when it was acquired by the famous Moueix family, owners of several great estates on the Right Bank including Petrus.

The current name, Bélair-Monange, was given in homage to Anne-Adèle Monange, Christian Moueix's grandmother and the first woman in the family to settle in Saint-Émilion in 1931. Since then, the estate has undergone extensive renovations and restructuring, allowing it to produce even more exceptional wines.

Robert Parker awarded 98/100 to the 2015, 2018 and 2017 vintages of Château Belair Monange, a wine renowned for its complexity and elegance in Saint-Émilion.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Bélair-Monange

The terroir of Château Bélair-Monange is one of the most emblematic of Saint-Émilion, for several reasons. Firstly, it stands at 88 metres above sea level, offering a dominant position on a limestone plateau with asterias, covered with a thin layer of clay. This unique soil gives the estate's wines an incomparable mineral freshness and elegance. This geological structure is historically considered one of the most prestigious centres for the production of Grand Crus.

Secondly, the estate spans a vineyard of 23.5 hectares divided into several sections, each offering different characteristics. The blue clay terraces on a limestone subsoil, with a full southern exposure, bring considerable intensity and depth to the wines. As for the southern slopes, their clay-loam soil favours the production of supple and generous wines, contributing to the roundness of the cuvées.

The estate's grape varieties are mainly composed of Merlot (90%), which thrives particularly well on these terroirs, complemented by Cabernet Franc (10%). These varieties are planted at a density of 6,600 vines per hectare, ensuring optimal concentration of the grapes. The vines, averaging 40 years old, benefit from meticulous work that maintains a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. Some plots, planted at the beginning of the 20th century, are home to historic vine stocks that contribute to the genetic diversity of the vineyard.

Vinification at Château Bélair-Monange

Vinification at Château Bélair-Monange is based on artisanal know-how, refined over generations. The viticultural team, under the expert direction of Édouard and Christian Moueix, is committed to preserving the pure expression of the terroir. The grape harvest, carried out by hand, is a key moment of the year. Each plot is harvested at optimal maturity, guaranteeing exceptional fruit quality.

After the harvest, the grapes are precisely sorted using optical sorting systems installed in 2009, before being destemmed and placed in temperature-controlled vats. These concrete vats allow for gentle and controlled fermentation, essential for extracting all the aromatic complexity of the grapes without altering the purity of the fruit. Each vat is given special attention and is tasted daily by a team of specialists with over 100 vintages of cumulative experience.

The vinification process ends with ageing in French oak barrels, 50% of which are new, for a period of 14 to 18 months, depending on the characteristics of the vintage. This process allows the tannins to blend harmoniously and ensures the longevity of the wines. Every detail is carefully managed to guarantee a perfect balance between power, finesse and elegance.

The cuvées of Château Bélair-Monange

Château Bélair-Monange offers three exceptional cuvées, each reflecting the unique characteristics of its terroir.

Château Bélair-Monange - Grand Vin

The estate's Grand Vin is a Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion, recognised for its complexity, refined structure and exceptional ageing potential. With a predominance of Merlot, this cuvée reveals intense aromas of red and black fruits, supported by mineral and spicy notes, typical of the estate's limestone terroir. On the palate, it is ample, with great depth and silky tannins, offering a long and elegant finish.

Annonce de Bélair-Monange - Second wine

Produced from the same terroirs as the Grand Vin, the Annonce de Bélair-Monange is produced in limited quantities. This second wine benefits from the same care as its elder, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. It is distinguished by its suppleness and accessibility in its early years, while retaining the elegance and minerality characteristic of the estate.

Haut Roc Blanquant - Third wine

This third wine, Haut Roc Blanquant, is made from a selection of grapes from plots located on the estate's terraces. Less concentrated than the Grand Vin, it seduces with its charm and suppleness. With its fruity aromas and light structure, it is perfect for more casual tasting, while offering a glimpse of the exceptional qualities of the Bélair-Monange terroir.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced vintages of exceptional quality over the years, delighting connoisseurs of fine wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputable reference. The following decades were equally impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate fine wine enthusiasts with its consistent quality and elegance.

The classification of Saint-Émilion's Premiers Grands Crus Classés B, reviewed every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the Right Bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category are emblematic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-increasing quality of the region's growths. However, some châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal ensures the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Bélair-Monange is today one of the jewels of Saint-Émilion, combining a thousand-year history with controlled modernity. Thanks to the passion and know-how of the Moueix family, this estate continues to produce wines that rank among the greatest in the world. Whether it is the Grand Vin, the Annonce or the Haut Roc Blanquant, each cuvée reflects the richness and diversity of the terroirs of this exceptional vineyard.