Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc, Fifth Growth with wine tasting notes and wine and food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Belgrave History, Overview

Chateau Belgrave started out life under the name of Chateau Coutenceau. The name changed to Chateau Belgrave in the early part of the 20th century. Stepping back in time, as you will see, what we know of as Chateau Belgrave was not always a vineyard. In fact, under King Louis XIV, it was originally used as a hunting lodge.

The artwork on the label is to remind you that in its past, the estate was used as a hunting lodge. The modern era for Chateau Belgrave began when it was renamed by an English owner that was living in Belgravia, London. As you can see, the home in England became the inspiration for the name Chateau Belgrave.

Chateau Belgrave is situated in Haut Medoc, just west of Beychevelle in St. Julien. It is also next door to Chateau Lagrange, which is also in St. Julien. Just a few meters further and it could have been in St. Julien.

The Left Bank chateau is managed by Dourthe, who is owned by the large negociant CVGB. Dourthe began leasing Chateau Belgrave in 1979. The lease was renegotiated in 2000. This allowed Dourthe to maintain control of the estate until at least 2025.

Starting in 1990, they changed their farming techniques for Chateau Belgrave, moving closer to a cleaner form of vineyard management with the elimination of all chemical fertilizers and limiting the use of pesticides, along with harvesting riper fruits and seeking lower yields. In 1993, a major renovation of the wine-making facilities and cellars took place.

The wine-making facilities of Chateau Belgrave were renovated for a second time in 2004, allowing for more of a parcel by parcel approach to vinification.

Chateau Belgrave Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The large, 59-hectare, vineyard of Chateau Belgrave is one of the few classified growths that has remained the same size as it was during the 1855 Classification. The vineyard is planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot and slightly more than 1% Petit Verdot. This represents a change in the vineyard with more Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot vines being added. Additionally, the Cabernet Franc has been removed.

The terroir is deep gravel with clay, sand, and limestone deposits in the soils. The vineyard is inland, on two sloping hillsides, next to Chateau Lagrange in St. Julien. At its peak, the elevations rise to 26 meters on one slope, with the other slope hitting 23 meters in height.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,500 vines per hectare up to 10,000 vines per hectare, depending on the parcel. The vineyard is in one large, single block of vines, which are contiguous and close to the chateau.

The wine of Chateau Belgrave is vinified in a combination of temperature-controlled vats of stainless steel and wood vats. This breaks down to 33 stainless steel tanks and 6 oak vats. The wine of Chateau Belgrave is aged in 40% to 60% new, French oak barrels, depending on the character and style of the vintage. Chateau Belgrave is consulted by Michel Rolland.

On average, Chateau Belgrave produces close to 20,000 cases of Bordeaux wine per year. They also make a second wine, Diane de Belgrave which made its debut in 1978. Close to 8,500 cases per year are produced of the second wine. The second wine, Diane de Belgrave, takes its name from Diane, the Goddess of hunting, as an homage to the estate’s past, when it was used as a hunting lodge in its formative years.

The best vintages of Chateau Belgrave are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

Aside from Chateau Belgrave, Dourthe owns several other Bordeaux vineyards including: Chateau Le Boscq St. Estephe, Chateau La Garde Pessac Leognan, Chateau Rahoul Graves, Chateau Reysson Haut-Medoc, and in the Right Bank, Chateau Grand-Barrail-Lamarzelle St. Emilion, and Chateau Pey-La-Tour Bordeaux Superieur.

When to Drink Chateau Belgrave, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Belgrave needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Belgrave is usually better with at least 6-9 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Belgrave offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau Belgrave, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Belgrave is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Belgrave is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Belgrave is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as a myriad of hard and soft cheeses.

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