PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Château Belgrave carries genuinely unusual history for a Bordeaux classified growth — the estate began life not as a vineyard at all, but as a royal hunting lodge under King Louis XIV, originally known as Château Coutenceau, before an English owner living in Belgravia, London, renamed it in the early 20th century. The property's own label artwork is a deliberate nod to that past, and — tongue firmly in cheek — if there's a small, proud dog embossed in gold on your bottle, it's a genuinely fitting touch for an estate whose entire origin story is a hunting ground rather than a wine estate. Belgrave was officially classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification, and the property is now owned by Dourthe, part of a broader portfolio that includes several other notable Bordeaux châteaux.
The 2017 vintage is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend — 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot — genuinely "very Saint-Julien in style," per Dourthe's own copy, despite sitting within the Haut-Médoc appellation rather than that more famous neighboring commune. Château Belgrave typically benefits from real patience: the estate's own guidance suggests decanting young vintages for one to two hours, with the wine generally reaching peak drinking between six and fifteen years after the vintage.
The critical reception has been genuinely strong across three major publications. Wine Enthusiast awarded 93 Points. Decanter and James Suckling each scored the wine 91 Points, with Decanter noting "a fairly high level of oak toasting, but grilled cedar rather than vanilla in character, making it more classically" styled. Sauer Grapes' own tasting found the wine "very deep and concentrated in appearance," the "intense bouquet" punching "ripe, fresh, black fruit aromas, with cassis taking center stage," the palate "initially smooth" before exploding "to reveal full-bodied" structure. A separate tasting describes "dark currant, black cherry, creamy, and refined" character, "well-formed" with "tannins and black-currant fruits in balance." This is genuinely serious, age-worthy Bordeaux — real classified-growth pedigree from an estate with one of the more unusual origin stories in the entire Médoc.
Chateau Belgrave 2017 Haut-Médoc is a Fifth Growth (5ème Cru Classé) estate under the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification, owned by Dourthe. The property originated as a royal hunting lodge under King Louis XIV, known then as Château Coutenceau, before being renamed Château Belgrave by an English owner in the early 20th century — the estate's label artwork continues to reference that hunting-lodge history.
The 2017 vintage is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot, grown on soils of clay, sand, and gravel. Following harvest and sorting, the wine ferments in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, then ages on the fine lees in oak barrels for roughly 14 months.
Wine Enthusiast — 93 Points
Decanter — 91 Points:
"This displays a fairly high level of oak toasting, but grilled cedar rather than vanilla in character, making it more classically styled."
James Suckling — 91 Points
Sauer Grapes (extended tasting note):
"Very deep and concentrated in appearance. The intense bouquet punches ripe, fresh, black fruit aromas, with cassis taking center stage. Initially smooth on the palate, the wine explodes to reveal full-bodied structure."
Dourthe (official house-style note):
"Declared Grand Cru Classé in 1855, Château Belgrave is the estate's fine wine. A majority blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, it reveals all the finesse and character of this great terroir. Dense and deep, it is an age-worthy wine with fresh, complex flavours, and very 'Saint-Julien' in style."
Nose
Deep and concentrated, with ripe black fruit and cassis leading, joined by black cherry and dark currant, alongside grilled cedar and toasted oak.
Palate
Initially smooth, opening into full-bodied structure, with dark currant and black cherry carrying real concentration, framed by refined, well-integrated tannin.
Finish
Long and age-worthy, closing with genuine classical Bordeaux structure — real potential for further cellaring.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France |
| Classification | 5ème Cru Classé, 1855 |
| Variety | 88% Cabernet Sauvignon · 12% Merlot |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Producer | Chateau Belgrave (Dourthe) |
| Estate History | Originally a royal hunting lodge under Louis XIV |
| Aging | ~14 months, oak barrels, on fine lees |
| Critics | Wine Enthusiast 93 · Decanter 91 · James Suckling 91 |
| Style / Identity | A classically styled, age-worthy classified growth — genuinely "Saint-Julien" in character |
| Aromas & Flavors | Cassis, black cherry, grilled cedar, dark fruit |
| Drinking Window | 6-15 years post-vintage |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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