Very fresh with fine dry tannins that carry the concentrated and ripe palate very nicely. I love the floral and currant bouquet that's very enticing, in spite of the wine's youth. Lots of blackcurrant and tobacco. A blend of 65 per cent merlot, 20 per cent cabernet franc and 15 per cent cabernet sauvignon.

The 2016 Bellefont Belcier is blended of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was aged for 20 months in 80% new and 20% in one-year-old barrels. Michel Rolland consults for this wine. Deep garnet-purple in color, it gives delicate dried flowers, garrigue, dusty soil and smoked meats over warm black plums and blackberry preserves with hints menthol. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and muscular with a rock-solid structure and loads of layered black fruit in the mid-palate, with a lingering earthiness to the finish. 5,000 cases produced.

This is a fruity, juicy wine, with soft tannins as well as a touch of toast. It has an immediacy to it, thanks to the forward fruit and generous tannins. At the same time, there is a core of dry structure that will allow it to age.

Warm and lush in feel, delivering soft-edged fig, boysenberry and blackberry compote flavors infused liberally with ganache and black licorice accents. Ample toast hints drape over the finish, and this is definitely accessible, but a good buried graphite note should also help it develop with a bit of cellaring. Drink now through 2032.