Château Belgrave
シャトー・ベルグラーヴ
1855 Fifth Growth at Saint-Julien's border — serious Médoc value
Château Belgrave is a Fifth Growth (5ème Grand Cru Classé) estate classified in the famous 1855 Bordeaux Classification, located in the commune of Saint-Laurent-Médoc in the Haut-Médoc appellation. The estate sits on two gravel hillocks rising to 23 and 26 metres, deposited over millennia by the Gironde River, directly bordering Château Lagrange in Saint-Julien — so close that a slight shift in boundaries could have placed it in the more prestigious commune. Château Belgrave has been managed by the Bordeaux négociant Dourthe since 1979. Under Dourthe's stewardship, winemaking was comprehensively modernised from 1990 onward: all chemical fertilisers were eliminated, yields reduced, and fruit harvested at full physiological ripeness. The 59-hectare vineyard — one of the rare classified growths to remain unchanged in size since 1855 — is planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Vinification takes place plot by plot in 33 stainless-steel tanks, and the wine is aged for 15–24 months in French oak barriques (40–60% new, depending on the vintage). A second wine, Diane de Belgrave — named for the goddess of the hunt in tribute to the estate's origins as a royal hunting lodge under Louis XV — has been produced since 1978. With consulting input from Michel Rolland, Château Belgrave produces approximately 20,000 cases per year and is widely regarded as one of the best-value classified growths in Bordeaux, combining genuine complexity with approachable pricing.
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Who Is This For?
Château Belgrave suits Bordeaux enthusiasts who want genuine classified-growth complexity without the premium price tags of the famous communes. It appeals to collectors building a cellar on a budget, curious wine drinkers ready to graduate from everyday reds, and those who enjoy pairing structured, age-worthy reds with classic French or hearty meat dishes. Patient drinkers will be rewarded: the wine opens beautifully at 6–10 years and can evolve for up to 20 years in great vintages.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What classification does Château Belgrave hold?
- Château Belgrave is a Fifth Growth (5ème Grand Cru Classé) in the 1855 Bordeaux Official Classification. The 1855 Classification ranked 61 Médoc châteaux into five tiers at the request of Napoleon III for the Paris World Exhibition, and Château Belgrave has held its Fifth Growth status ever since.
- Where exactly is Château Belgrave located?
- The estate is in Saint-Laurent-Médoc, a commune in the Haut-Médoc appellation, immediately west of the Saint-Julien boundary. The vineyard borders Château Lagrange (a Third Growth in Saint-Julien), and the estate's gravel terroir is geologically continuous with that of Saint-Julien — which is why the wines show a distinctly 'Saint-Julien-like' elegance.
- What grape varieties are used and in what proportions?
- The 59-hectare vineyard is planted to approximately 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon thrives on the well-drained gravel hilltops, while Merlot is favoured on the clay-rich lower slopes. This balance gives the wine both structure and roundness.
- When should I drink Château Belgrave, and how long can it age?
- Château Belgrave is usually approachable from 5–6 years after the vintage, but truly rewards patience: peak drinking is typically 8–15 years post-harvest. In exceptional vintages (2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022), the wine can age gracefully for 20 or more years. Serve at 15–17°C and decant for at least one hour if drinking young.
- What is Diane de Belgrave?
- Diane de Belgrave is the second wine of Château Belgrave, produced since 1978. It takes its name from Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, honouring the estate's history as a royal hunting lodge during the reign of Louis XV. Made from younger vines and declassified lots, it offers a supple, fruit-forward style that is ready to drink earlier than the Grand Vin — typically from 3–6 years.