Château Belle-Vue

"This property is at Macau in the Haut-Médoc, just south of the Margaux appellation. It consists of 15 hectares on deep gravelly soil. It was acquired by Treasury Wine Estates in 2021 although it was owned by the Mulliez family in 2019. It is a fairly young estate, beginning in 1996 when the then owner created it from some plots from one of his other properties. Unusually it is planted with 20% Petit Verdot, some of the oldest in Bordeaux dating back to 1936, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Vines average 30 years although the oldest date back to 2007. The property is HVE certified for its sustainable practices and care for the surrounding environment. Pruning is rigorous to keep yields in check, and grass is encouraged between the rows, so the vines send their roots deeper. Debudding and leaf thinning is carried out where necessary, harvesting is by hand. Winemaking is fairly modern, in stainless steel with a cold soak pre fermentation and délestage. Malolactic fermentation is in barrel, followed by ageing for up to 16 months in oak, 30% new. The resulting wines are rich and fruity with good structure."