The Bellevue Estate
Chateau Bellevue was founded in 1998, with its oldest origins dating to the 1960's. The project is aided by Chateau Cheval Blanc's former enologist, Gilles Paquet. Reserve wines are produced when the vintage merits; most recently in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Production: 380 hectolitres (4,222 cases), 95% Claret Rouge and 5% Claret Rosé.
The Bellevue Vineyard
The 8.5 hectares (21 acres) of vineyards are 40 year old vines, planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Yield: 40 hectolitres/hectare. Hillside Clay and Limestone soil.
Bellevue Cotes de Bordeaux-Castillon Cé Ma Cuvée is made from 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc
The wine is made with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Average age of the vines is 50 years old (everything is between 40 and 60 years old).
Cé Ma Cuvée is a tribute from Michel Lydoire to his 2 daughters:
Cé is for Céline. She is like the Merlot grape varietal. Pleasant and calm.
Ma is for Marina. She is like the Cabernet Franc grape varietal. Tough and with a lot of character.
The color is deep and inky.
The nose is spicy, fruity and oaky with some nice vanilla and coconut aromas.
The mouthfeel is complex, with ripe red and black fruit flavors. Some spiciness and integrated oak flavors.
The wine starts as the Vieilles vignes, but some wine is aged in 500-liter American Oak Barrels for 18 months.
They are using a mix of different toastiness for the barrels. Some high toast and some are medium toast.
This is a fun wine that can be enjoyed with any food, charbroil burgers, grilled vegetables, cheeses ... or even with dark chocolate desserts.
Bellevue Cotes de Castillon Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is made from 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc. Aged in mostly new oak barrels (90% French oak and 10% American oak), and some Château Haut Brion 2nd Barrels.
The wine offers a rich and intense bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberry and strawberry. It is smooth and full in the mouth with a velvety texture. Acidity combined with firm but well-integrated tannins are a fine supporting cast to the black fruit flavors at the end.
Johann Michel Cornas Cuvee Mere Michel is made from 100 percent Syrah.
Cuvee Mère Michel was first introduced in 2016 and is not produced every year. This wine is a tribute to Johann Michel' wife, Emmanuelle, and a nod to the French song, La Mere Michel. This wines comes from Selection Massale (replanting new vineyards with cuttings from exceptional old vines from the same property) cuttings of Serine off the 1947 Yves Cuilleron vineyard at Chavanay. The vineyards are located in the lieu-dit "Les Cotes" at an altitude of 230 meters and benefiting from a southern sun exposure.
Review:
"Only made in top vintages, the 2018 Cornas Mère Michel is a tribute to Johann's wife and a play on the French song "La Mere Michelle." Brought up in a new demi-muid, it's a richer, broader wine compared to the Cuvée Jana yet still has incredible Cornas style in its red, black, and blue fruits as well as notes of toasted spice, roasted meat, chocolate, and wild herbs. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has a touch more upfront appeal and should be drinkable in just 4-5 years yet also evolve for two decades." -
Jeb Dunnuck (Northern Rhône: The 2018s and 2019s, November 19th 2020), 98 pts
Two Paddocks The Last Chance Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
A beguiling complex nose showing wild thyme, red fruit and a mix of spicy blackberry and plum aromatics. This gives way to a plush fully textured palate weight giving generous amounts of flavor built on an elegant, fresh and feminine framework, great tension and poise.
Review:
This has fantastic concentration and complexity. Earthy notes of bark, dried herbs, salty mushrooms and nori marry ripe red and purple berry fruit. Sleek and refined with well-integrated tannins. There's a peppery freshness shining through. Savory and long.
-James Suckling 96 Points