Château Belgrave

The 2016 Belgrave is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot and was picked from 28 September until 20 October. It has a generous bouquet with small dark cherries, blueberry and crushed violet aromas, quite Margaux-like in style. There is certainly good intensity here. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple opening: blackberry, mint and cedar. From the start there is fine tension and there is very impressive structure towards the finish, plus a long saline aftertaste. This is a very strong follow-up to the 2015 Belgrave and indeed, it may surpass it.

Tasted blind. Perfumed and fruity. Lots of roundness and some charm. Mineral finish. Fairly long.

Extremely perfumed with lots of cabernet character, such as flowers and blackcurrants. Full body, a pretty core of fruit and very polished tannins that fold into the fruit. Extremely well crafted. A blend of 69 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 28 per cent merlot and three per cent petit verdot. Needs two or three years to come together. Try after 2022.