2017 Chateau Belgrave 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc

This is very cabernet sauvignon with a tight palate of ripe fruit and firm and chewy tannins. Medium-to full-bodied, compacted and driven. All the merlot was hurt by the frost here. Juicy finish. - jamessuckling.com, April 2018

This has a fleshy feel, with red and black currant fruit melding nicely with singed vanilla and tobacco notes. Offers modest tannins and fresh acidity. - James Molesworth, winespectator.com, April 2018

The 2017 Belgrave offers crisp blackberry and tobacco scents on the nose, a touch of gravel developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin, masculine and rather austere towards the finish where I would have liked more flesh. A second showing towards the end of my tasting did indicate a wine developing more fruité towards the finish and my score reflects anticipated amelioration during its barrel maturation. - vinous.com, May 2018

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, 2017 Belgrave reveals notes of warm cassis, baked black cherries and preserved plums plus suggestions of garrigue and charcoal. Medium-bodied, the palate is a little thin and edgy with chewy tannins and crisp acid defining the finish.

Dourthe's flagship. 50% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, planted on deep gravel with clay subsoil. Deep crimson with black core. Sweet black damson fruit. Lots of rocky graphite flavour giving a dark elegance on the palate, and the tannins are supple and add to the freshness. Just a little bit herbaceous on the finish, perhaps? (JH)

Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Slightly reductive – raw cherry skins and fresh plum fruit underneath. Medium weight and compact with slightly tart acidity diminishing the fruit intensity. Somewhat brittle. (TP)