Chateau Bellevue St. Emilion Grand Cru - 2005 (750ml) Sercial the wine has an engaging

the wine has an engaging forest floor/cedar/smoked meat quality and a Right Bank Merlot-like warmth to it

This aromatic vermouth enlivens the palate and pairs fantastically with the juniper notes in gin for a fresh and exciting martini or a delicious aperitif on the rocks with a twist of lemon

Quality-wise

The palate is sweet and sensual on the entry

Sweet scents of French oak linger on the round

Chateau Bellevue St. Emilion Grand Cru - 2005 (750ml) Sercial the wine has an engagingThe first bottle of 2005 Bellevue that I tasted had a maderized, oxidized nose that was off putting. This note is from a second bottle. This second bottle showed absolutely no trace of oxidation, but did offer plenty of crushed, chalky minerality, notes of plum, blueberry, black raspberry and cherry fruit, a dense purple color, a full bodied mouthfeel, and fabulous structure, purity and length. It should drink well for at least another 20+ years.