Château Belle-Vue, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, 2016

A newly christened cru bourgeois exceptionnel in the 2020 ranking, this estate delivers consistently impressive wine and has the depth, personality and polish to be a real crowd-pleaser. I have picked a vintage that has five years of age, because Haut-Médoc wines often have so much tannin and densely packed fruit that they need a few years to soften. Dark berry, tobacco and spiced cedar unfurl slowly then hang on tight, giving excellent persistency and a sappy, mouthwatering finish. Always a high level (10%-20% in most vintages) of Petit Verdot that adds colour and a kick of pepper on the finish.