Chateau Bel Air 2012 Haut-Medoc, Cru Bourgeois

An estate that dates back to the 1400's Chateau Bel Air has most recently been in the very capable hands of Henri Martin and his team, famous of course for Chateau Saint- Pierre, Chateau Gloria and other superior Bordeaux properties. They lavish the same exact focus and care on Bel Air as on their Classed Growth and St. Julien estates. Located in Cussac, on the outskirts of Saint-Julien Beychevelle and on the banks of the Gironde, the vineyard at Bel Air covers 80 acres with an average vine age of 30 years. The soil is made up of fine gravelly ridges. The grapes for this 2012 are 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged 12 months in Oak barrels, 25% new.