Chateau Bellevue 2000

Chateau Bellevue 2000 is a Merlot-dominant St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé red wine from Bordeaux, France, in a standard 750ml bottle. Scoring 95 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, the 2000 vintage marked the debut collaboration between Nicolas Thienpont and consultant winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt — a pairing that Parker himself called the "breakthrough vintage for this fabulous terroir that had been under-exploited for so many years."

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5%  |  Origin: St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 2000  |  Estate: Château Bellevue (Grand Cru Classé)

Production & Heritage

Château Bellevue holds Grand Cru Classé status in the St. Emilion classification, situated on the limestone plateau with prized terroir long recognized but historically underperforming. The 2000 vintage was the first under Nicolas Thienpont's stewardship, with Stéphane Derenoncourt directing winemaking. The blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc was produced at rigorously low yields of just 30 hectoliters per hectare, concentrating the fruit and amplifying the site's natural mineral character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an opaque, inky purple robe and a glorious perfume of blackberries and blueberries. Underneath, a striking minerality emerges — what Parker described as aromas reminiscent of "a liqueur of crushed rocks, black currants, and raspberries."

Taste: The palate enters with full body and immediate concentration, revealing layers of dark plum, black cherry, and licorice at the mid-palate. High tannin provides structural grip, while abundant glycerin lends richness and textural weight. Smoke, mocha, and herbal notes add complexity as the wine develops across the palate.

Finish: The finish is remarkably long — Parker noted a 40-second duration — with lingering dark chocolate, fresh plum, and a persistent mineral undertone. The tannin resolves into a fine-grained texture that holds without turning austere.

How to Drink Bellevue 2000

At over two decades of age, this wine is best served at 62–65°F (17–18°C) with at least 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to allow the bouquet to fully open. Drink it on its own to appreciate the evolved complexity, or alongside rich dishes where the tannin structure and fruit density can match the weight of the food. Given its stature and vintage, this is a wine for considered drinking rather than cocktail use.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or birth-year vintage from 2000
• Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector seeking Right Bank depth
• Anchoring a vertical tasting of St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé wines
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner featuring red meat or game

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bellevue 2000 taste like? Bellevue 2000 delivers concentrated blackberry, dark plum, and black currant flavors layered with smoke, mocha, and crushed mineral notes, supported by firm tannin and abundant glycerin that give it a full-bodied, muscular profile.

How does Bellevue 2000 compare to Château Petrus? Bordeaux authority Hubert de Boüard has referred to Bellevue as "the Petrus of St. Emilion" due to its high Merlot concentration and limestone terroir, though Petrus is exclusively Pomerol-based and commands significantly higher prices; Bellevue offers a comparable intensity of Merlot expression at a more accessible tier.

Is Bellevue 2000 good for drinking now? Yes — with over two decades of bottle age, the 2000 vintage has had ample time to integrate its high tannin and develop secondary complexity, though decanting for 30–60 minutes before serving is recommended.

Where is Bellevue 2000 made? Château Bellevue is located on the limestone plateau of St. Emilion in Bordeaux's Right Bank, one of the appellation's most prized positions for Grand Cru Classé estates.

What foods pair well with Bellevue 2000? Braised short ribs complement the wine's tannin and smoky depth; roasted lamb with herbs echoes its herbal notes; aged Comté or Gruyère matches the mineral backbone; duck confit mirrors the richness and glycerin weight; and dark chocolate desserts align with the mocha and cocoa character on the finish.

What sizes does Bellevue 2000 come in? Château Bellevue 2000 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format; large-format bottles such as magnums may exist but are uncommon for this vintage.

Is Bellevue 2000 worth the price? Bellevue 2000 positions as a premium St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé with a 95-point Parker score, offering serious concentration and complexity that competes favorably with more expensive Right Bank estates from the celebrated 2000 vintage.

Why Bellevue 2000?

The 2000 vintage represents a turning point for Château Bellevue — the first harvest under the direction of Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt, two figures who have since become synonymous with Right Bank excellence. Robert Parker awarded it 95 points, calling it the breakthrough for a terroir that had long been under-exploited. With yields held to just 30 hectoliters per hectare and an 80/20 Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend drawn from Grand Cru Classé limestone soils, the wine delivers a concentration and mineral intensity that justifies its comparison to the finest Merlot-driven estates in Bordeaux.