Chateau Belgrave, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, 2009

Tasting: Medoc crus classes 2009

Herbal rather than herbaceous nose, with a whiff of new oak; elegant rather than fleshy. Medium-bodied, a bit light for the vintage, fresh and stylish, with marked acidity, this doesn’t exude great ripeness. It’s rather simple and one-dimensional, though correct and unobjectionable. But it’s not a great effort for 2009.

Tasting: Medoc crus classes 2009

Quite opulent bouquet of ripe black fruit with some creamy oak. Well integrated.Crunchy, attractive fruit on the palate, tannins well absorbed, acidity correct and in balance.Excellent length on the finish and a well-rounded, charming wine with good persistence. Not hugely complex but will give enormous pleasure quite soon.

Tasting: Medoc crus classes 2009

Ripe Cabernet nose, good depth of fruit and quite lush, even a little chocolaty. Smooth and ripe, tannins blending in and adding support to the rich fruit, seductively smooth, an attractively modern Medoc, ready soon but will last.