Chateau Bel-Air Ouy St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Bel-Air Ouy St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine with 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 Bel-Air-Ouy in St. Emilion is owned by Jean Luc Thunevin of Valandraud. Chateau Bel-Air Ouy is a young property. In fact, it was only recently created by Jean Luc Thunevin in 1999, when he purchased several parcels of vines in the eastern portion of Saint Emilion.

Chateau Bel-Air Ouy Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 6.5 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Chateau Bel-Air Ouy is located not far from Chateau Fleur Cardinale and Valandraud in Saint Etienne de Lisse, which is situated due east of the St Emilion village.

The vineyard of Chateau Bel-Air-Ouy is planted to 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. The terroir is clay and limestone soils, similar to what you would find at many of the better St. Emilion estates.

However, in this portion of Saint Emilion the micro-climate is slightly cooler. And you find more clay in the soils as well. The vines are on average 30 years of age. Most of the vineyard was planted in 1981. So today, the vine age is quite respectable.

Chateau Bel-Air Ouy is vinified in oak vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is aged for an average of 18 months in 100% new, French oak barrels before bottling.

Production is on average, 2,000 cases per vintage. Murielle Andraud is in charge of the vineyard and the winemaking for Chateau Bel-Air-Ouy as well as for all the ETS. Thunevin wines.

The best vintages of Chateau Bel-Air Ouy are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Bel-Air Ouy, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Bel-Air Ouy is usually better with 2-3 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Chateau Bel-Air Ouy is best enjoyed in the first 3-10 years of life.

Young vintages can be decanted for up to 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Chateau Bel-Air Ouy with Wine and Food Pairings

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

Chateau Bel-Air Ouy is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.

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