Producer Spotlight: Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre

$460.00 excl. GST

Rediscover Bordeaux from a lesser seen side, with a selection of back vintages direct from the estate.

  • Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre 2010 | Cabernet Merlot blend
  • Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre 2000 | Cabernet Merlot blend
  • Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre 1996 | Cabernet Merlot blend

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre 2010

What — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere
Where — Bordeaux, France
When — 201o

An enticing nose of blackberry, wild raspberry, hints of tobacco and black truffle—with a long future ahead of it still.

+ Read More

Soon after 2009 was named ‘vintage of the century’, critics and reviewers were faced with yet another ‘vintage of the century’ in 2010. It gave us a modern interpretation of a classically styled vintage, with wines that are rewarded by time as they age and develop. 

2010 was the driest vintage on record since 1949, with warm and sunny days contrasted by cool nights, producing grapes with an array of flavours with retained acidity. For some producers with a heavy hand, the richness of the fruit may have been an issue; but the deft touch of Jean-Pierre resulted in well-balanced wines that were neither hot, flabby nor over extracted. 

2010’s release saw market prices sky-rocket, with unprecedented global demand from both existing and emerging markets.

Currently, it sits in a sweet spot where the fruit is youthful and pure, while beginning to take on some secondary evolution. Tannins are certainly present but well integrated, not obstructing enjoyment at all. It is still a joy to experience now, but time and air will also demonstrate the longevity that the wine still has ahead of it!

In stock

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre 2000

What — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere
Where — Bordeaux, France
When — 2000

Evolving beautifully, with the fruit beginning to carry an earthiness and subtle notes of tobacco and terracotta on the finish.

+ Read More

2000 continues to be known as a legendary vintage, being the first time since 1990 that both the Left and Right Banks performed to such brilliant levels. Across the appellations, the 2000 wines were rich, concentrated and of an expressive nature, with ripe and round tannins. 

In particular, the 2000 from Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre suited Boyer’s style perfectly and resulted in one of his most highly regarded offerings. It currently sits in a well balanced place of evolution, with an earthy signature of moss, wild morels and touches of tobacco complimenting the array of dark red and black fruits. 

With a distinguished ex-domaine provenance, this provides an insight to a wine that, at over 20 years old, still holds plenty of life—despite also being a fantastic drink now.

In stock

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre 1996

What — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere
Where — Bordeaux, France
When — 1996

Showing its age after a quarter of a century; with a combination of earthy, fruit and savoury touches, while retaining great tannic structure and a fine line of acidity.

+ Read More

The 1996 vintage celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon with picture-perfect conditions in the Medoc. The growing season was largely hot and sunny, with dry conditions resulting in the perfect amount of stress for Cabernet Sauvignon’s phenolic ripeness and development. Of all the communes on the Left Bank, Margaux received the highest rainfall. 

Across the vintage, the resulting wines carried an unmistakable depth of flavour, concentration and firm yet well balanced tannins. 

Having recently arrived in Singapore, these wines with a distinguished ex-domaine provenance are a great insight to the aging potential and developmental style that Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre possesses. 

 

In stock

In stock

SKU: Producer Spotlight: Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre Category:
 

Description

Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre punches back at convention, quite unlike the overwhelming majority of Bordelais estates. Today, it is run by the 88 year old Jean-Pierre Boyer, with 71 vintages under his belt, all at the family estate. Few have such experience and dedication when it comes to understanding the intricacies of the terroir, of any estate; that is part of what makes Château Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre as unique as it is. Little has changed under Boyer’s tenure: the vines, the winery, the production style remains as it was, harking back almost to the end of World War 2. 

His one change—quite the exception at that—was removing oak barrels in the 1950s. To this day, he still prefers both fermentation and aging in concrete. The wines spend three years in cement before being bottled, after fining but without filtration.  

Despite owning close to 50 hectares of land, only 13 are planted—of which only 5 hectares are worked by himself, with the help of one single trusted employee. While not certified organic, he uses no modern treatments and only a little organic compost as fertiliser. Furthermore, even the youngest vines are more than 50 years old (with the oldest being over a century old). Don’t be surprised to discover ancient clones and lost varieties amongst the five traditional Bordeaux varieties here! The resulting blend is approximately 35% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc along with Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere. Jean-Pierre doesn’t care too much for technical details—yields, proportions in the blend, cuvaison, extraction… None of these matter much to him, as long as the wine ultimately speaks honestly of its origins. 

Tasting Boyer’s wines, you will be peeking into a bygone era, back when Bordeaux on such incredible terroirs were made to last, released when ready and rarely exceeding 12.5% alcohol.

Additional information

Bundle Type

,

Wine Type

Country

Style

,

Flavour Notes

, , , , , ,

Flavour Intensity

Within This Bundle

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre 2010

What — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere
Where — Bordeaux, France
When — 201o

An enticing nose of blackberry, wild raspberry, hints of tobacco and black truffle—with a long future ahead of it still.

+ Read More

Soon after 2009 was named ‘vintage of the century’, critics and reviewers were faced with yet another ‘vintage of the century’ in 2010. It gave us a modern interpretation of a classically styled vintage, with wines that are rewarded by time as they age and develop. 

2010 was the driest vintage on record since 1949, with warm and sunny days contrasted by cool nights, producing grapes with an array of flavours with retained acidity. For some producers with a heavy hand, the richness of the fruit may have been an issue; but the deft touch of Jean-Pierre resulted in well-balanced wines that were neither hot, flabby nor over extracted. 

2010’s release saw market prices sky-rocket, with unprecedented global demand from both existing and emerging markets.

Currently, it sits in a sweet spot where the fruit is youthful and pure, while beginning to take on some secondary evolution. Tannins are certainly present but well integrated, not obstructing enjoyment at all. It is still a joy to experience now, but time and air will also demonstrate the longevity that the wine still has ahead of it!

In stock

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre 2000

What — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere
Where — Bordeaux, France
When — 2000

Evolving beautifully, with the fruit beginning to carry an earthiness and subtle notes of tobacco and terracotta on the finish.

+ Read More

2000 continues to be known as a legendary vintage, being the first time since 1990 that both the Left and Right Banks performed to such brilliant levels. Across the appellations, the 2000 wines were rich, concentrated and of an expressive nature, with ripe and round tannins. 

In particular, the 2000 from Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre suited Boyer’s style perfectly and resulted in one of his most highly regarded offerings. It currently sits in a well balanced place of evolution, with an earthy signature of moss, wild morels and touches of tobacco complimenting the array of dark red and black fruits. 

With a distinguished ex-domaine provenance, this provides an insight to a wine that, at over 20 years old, still holds plenty of life—despite also being a fantastic drink now.

In stock

Château Bel Air Marquis d'Aligre 1996

What — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere
Where — Bordeaux, France
When — 1996

Showing its age after a quarter of a century; with a combination of earthy, fruit and savoury touches, while retaining great tannic structure and a fine line of acidity.

+ Read More

The 1996 vintage celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon with picture-perfect conditions in the Medoc. The growing season was largely hot and sunny, with dry conditions resulting in the perfect amount of stress for Cabernet Sauvignon’s phenolic ripeness and development. Of all the communes on the Left Bank, Margaux received the highest rainfall. 

Across the vintage, the resulting wines carried an unmistakable depth of flavour, concentration and firm yet well balanced tannins. 

Having recently arrived in Singapore, these wines with a distinguished ex-domaine provenance are a great insight to the aging potential and developmental style that Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre possesses. 

 

In stock

In stock

You may also like…

Related products