Chateau de Bellevue Lussac St-Emilion

Chateau de Bellevue Lussac Saint-Emilion is a certified organic Bordeaux rouge from Lussac-Saint-Emilion, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2014 vintage earned 91/100 from Wine-Searcher aggregated critic scores, and the estate has maintained organic certification for nearly two decades — a rarity in this corner of Bordeaux's Right Bank.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Lussac-Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France  |  Organic  |  Producer: Château de Bellevue (Chatenoud family)

Production & Heritage

Château de Bellevue has been owned and operated by the André Chatenoud family since 1971. The estate covers twelve hectares on a limestone plateau in the Lussac-Saint-Emilion appellation, where chalky, clay-limestone soils produce wines with a distinctly firm and fresh character — a stark contrast with the more opulent, velvety reds typical of neighboring Saint-Émilion proper. The blend is 95% Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc, all organically grown. The terroir's higher chalk content and elevation contribute a mineral backbone that distinguishes Bellevue from many peers in the appellation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lifted red berries — cherry and raspberry — before moving into graphite and violet. Dried herbs like thyme and rosemary emerge alongside a subtle blackberry note as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, led by spiced cherry and ripe strawberry. At mid-palate, the limestone terroir asserts itself through chalky, sandy tannins and a streak of fresh acidity. Black tea and a hint of licorice add savory complexity toward the peak.

Finish: Medium in length, with lingering notes of coffee, earthy limestone, and soft tannins that taper cleanly. The finish leaves a pleasant mineral impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Bellevue Lussac

This Merlot-dominant Bordeaux drinks well at cellar temperature (16–18°C) with fifteen to twenty minutes in the glass. It rewards patient sipping on its own but is equally suited to the table.

• Classic Bordeaux-style serve: Decant for 30 minutes to open the herbal and mineral layers.
• Kir Bordelais: A small measure of crème de cassis added to a glass of this red plays off its natural berry profile.
• Red wine spritz: Over ice with sparkling water and an orange twist for a casual warm-weather pour — the wine's fresh acidity holds up well to dilution.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing with roasted meats or pasta
• Introducing organic and biodynamic wines to curious drinkers
• Building a Bordeaux satellite-appellation tasting alongside Montagne and Puisseguin
• Gifting to a Merlot lover who appreciates terroir-driven winemaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bellevue Lussac taste like? It leads with juicy red berry fruit — cherry and raspberry — supported by sandy tannins, graphite, and an earthy mineral quality from the limestone plateau where it is grown. Secondary notes of black tea, licorice, and coffee emerge on the mid-palate and finish.

How does Bellevue Lussac compare to a standard Saint-Émilion? Wines from Lussac-Saint-Emilion are generally lighter-bodied and more freshly structured than those from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, with less oak influence and lower price points. Bellevue in particular skews chalky and firm rather than opulent, reflecting its elevated limestone soils.

Is Bellevue Lussac good for sipping neat? Yes — its medium body, balanced acidity, and soft tannins make it approachable on its own, especially after a brief decant or fifteen minutes of aeration in the glass.

Where is Bellevue Lussac made? Château de Bellevue sits on a limestone plateau in the Lussac-Saint-Emilion appellation, part of Bordeaux's Right Bank in southwestern France. The estate has been family-owned since 1971 and farms twelve hectares organically.

What foods pair well with Bellevue Lussac? Roast lamb benefits from the wine's herbal thyme-and-rosemary aromatics. Duck confit mirrors its earthy depth. Aged Comté or Gruyère complements the chalky mineral finish. Mushroom risotto amplifies the wine's savory black-tea notes. Charcuterie boards with cured sausage and cornichons match its fresh acidity.

What sizes does Bellevue Lussac come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Bellevue Lussac worth the price? It positions as an entry-level to mid-range Bordeaux, delivering certified-organic farming and genuine terroir expression at a price well below most Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. For drinkers seeking Right Bank character without the premium, it represents strong value.

Why Bellevue Lussac?

Nearly twenty years of certified organic viticulture sets Château de Bellevue apart in a region where conventional farming still dominates. The estate's limestone plateau gives the wine a firm, chalky minerality that reads more like the limestone-influenced wines of the Côtes de Castillon than a typical plush Merlot. Critic scores reaching 91/100 on the 2014 vintage confirm it can compete well above its price bracket. For anyone building a Bordeaux collection or simply seeking an honest, terroir-driven red, this twelve-hectare family estate delivers substance over spectacle.