Chateau Belgrave started out life under the name of Chateau Coutenceau. The name changed to Chateau Belgrave in the early part of the 20th century. Stepping back in time, as you will see, what we know of as Chateau Belgrave was not always a vineyard. In fact, under King Louis XIV, it was originally used as a hunting lodge.
The artwork on the label is to remind you that in its past, the estate was used as a hunting lodge. The modern era for Chateau Belgrave began when it was renamed by an English owner that was living in Belgravia, London. As you can see, the home in England became the inspiration for the name Chateau Belgrave.
Chateau Belgrave is situated in Haut Medoc, just west of Beychevelle in St. Julien. It is also next door to Chateau Lagrange, which is also in St. Julien. Just a few meters further and it could have been in St. Julien.
The Left Bank chateau is managed by Dourthe, who is owned by the large negociant CVGB. Dourthre began leasing Chateau Belgrave in 1979. The lease was renegotiated in 2000. This allowed Dourthe to maintain control of the estate until at least 2025.
The wine making facilities of Chateau Belgrave were renovated in 2004, allowing for more of a parcel by parcel approach to vinification.
Starting in 1990, they changed their farming techniques for Chateau Belgrave, moving closer to a cleaner form of vineyard management with the elimination of all chemical fertilizers and limiting the use of pesticides, along with harvesting riper fruits and seeking lower yields. In 1993, a major renovation of the wine making facilities and cellars took place.
The large, 59 hectare, vineyard of Chateau Belgrave is planted to 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. This represents a change in the vineyard, with Merlot vines being added and the Cabernet Franc has been removed.
The plan is to continue to slowly phase out the remaining Cabernet Franc vines over time. The terroir is deep gravel with clay, sand and limestone deposits in the soils. The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,500 vines per hectare up to 10,000 vines per hectare, depending on the parcel.
The wine of Chateau Belgrave is vinified in a combination of temperature controlled vats of stainless steel and wood vats. This breaks down to 33 stainless steel and 6 are wood vats. The wine of Chateau Belgrave is aged in 40% to 60% new, French oak barrels, depending on the character and style of the vintage. Chateau Belgrave is consulted by Michel Rolland.
On average, Chateau Belgrave produces close to 20,000 cases of Bordeaux wine per year. They also make a second wine, Diane de Belgrave which made its debut in 1978. Close to 8,500 cases per year are produced of the second wine. The second wine, Diane de Belgrave, takes its name from Diane, the Goddess of hunting, as a hommage to the estates past, when it was used as a hunting lodge in its formative years.
Chateau Belgrave needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Chateau Belgrave is usually better with at least 6-9 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Belgrave offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-15 years of age after the vintage.
Chateau Belgrave 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 Belgrave is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes.
Chateau Belgrave is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta as well as cheese.
Forward in style, the wine is medium bodied, fresh and fruity with a sense of brightness in the earthy, red berry finish. The wine was made from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.
A top year for Belgrave, the is loaded with ripe blackberries, licorice and tobacco leaf notes. Medium/full bodied, with freshness and a bright, spicy, leafy, red berry finish.
Deep in color with licorice, cigar box and blackberry, this wine has plenty of crisp, sweet, dark red fruits and tannins in the finish – clearly a contender for the best vintage Belgrave has ever produced.
Medium bodied, stern, crisp, classic styled wine with crunchy, red fruits, dusty tannins and an austere finish.
Slightly better on the nose with its smoky, blackberry, earth and tobacco character, than on the palate, due to the rustic tannins, in the crisp, fresh, finish.
Black raspberry, cherry, earth, tobacco and fresh herbs in nose, medium bodied, soft in texture, the wine finishes with a bright, dark cherry and red fruit sensation.
Close to mature, the mid-weight wine offers secondary, tobacco, cedar and leafy notes along with bright, fresh red berries and tobacco. You can drink this now and over the next 6-8 years.
Slightly past fully mature, drink this sooner than later for the remaining, earthy, tobacco and bright, red fruit character.