2018 Chateau Belair-Monange

Other Reviews....
Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Belair Monange rolls effortlessly out of the glass with gregarious scents of black cherry preserves, stewed plums and boysenberries, plus suggestions of Indian spices, rose oil, Ceylon tea and garrigue, with a waft of tilled soil. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Wonderfully hedonic and conceivably drinkable now, give it 4-5 years in the cellar to allow the earthy/savory nuances to fully emerge from within the fruit and drink it over the next 25 years or more. Drink 2025 - 2050.
98 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (Apr 2021)

The 2018 Bélair-Monange, so impressive out of barrel, delivers now that it finds itself incarcerated by glass. It is endowed with a seriously impressive nose, delivering blackberry and still that faint warm brick/terracotta scent, shaved black truffle and a touch of clove. You could lose yourself completely in this bouquet. The palate has firmed up a little, displaying more backbone than I recall. The dash of cracked black pepper liberally sprinkled over the finish curiously bears similarities to some of the Pomerols this vintage, and the Cabernet Franc feels much more prominent than its 2% contribution to the blend would suggest. I adore this Saint-Émilion and it is going to benefit from 8–10 years in the cellar... if you can resist temptation that long. Drink 2027 - 2050.
96 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026.
99 points
James Suckling

An incredible expression of Merlot grown on limestone soils, the 2018 Château Belair-Monange (90/10 Merlot and Cabernet Franc) sports a dense purple hue as well as powerful notes of blackcurrants, kirsch liqueur, flowery incense, chalky minerality, and white truffle. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully concentrated, it's a serious 2018 offering integrated oak, ripe yet building tannins, and one hell of a great finish. The finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted, it's a wine to seek out and hide in the cellar for a good 5-7 years. It's going to evolve for 30-40 years. Drink 2026 - 2056.
98 points
Jeb Dunnuck

The wines here continue getting better year after year. And 2018 is no exception. Just the color, with its dark, purple ink hue tells you you're in for something special. There is incredible intensity of flavor here. The non-stop layers of rocks, stones, black plums, blueberry and black cherry accompanied by flowers, spice box, licorice and chocolate is sublime. But it is the wealth of velvet drenched, silky fruits coating your palate that hits it out of the park! The 60 second seamless finish seals the deal! With time, this will probably hit triple digits. Produced from blending 90% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, this should age for 2-3 decades or more with little effort.
99 Points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider