Château Villa Bel-Air (2000)

About this wine

Château Villa Bel-Air 2000 Graves is a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, offering a medium-bodied profile with flavors of ripe blackberries and liquorice. The oak aging imparts a good tannic structure, complemented by hints of vanilla and spice. This wine is known for its elegance and balance, making it a fine example of the Graves appellation.

About the grape

In the Graves region of Bordeaux, the 2000 Château Villa Bel-Air red wine is crafted from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Merlot, the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, thrives in the clay-limestone soils of Graves, contributing rich plum and black fruit flavors that add softness to the wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its thick skins and high tannins, brings structure and aging potential, developing flavors of blackcurrant and cedar over time. Cabernet Franc, a parent grape to both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, adds aromatic complexity with notes of violets and pepper, enhancing the wine's overall balance. The combination of these varietals reflects the traditional Bordeaux blending practice, aiming to create wines with depth, complexity, and longevity.

Quick facts

• 🏰 Château Villa Bel-Air is situated in the heart of the Graves appellation, renowned for its gravelly soils that contribute to the wine's unique character.
• 🍇 The 2000 vintage of Château Villa Bel-Air is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc, showcasing the classic Bordeaux red blend.
• 🍷 This wine underwent traditional vinification with a long maceration period of 20 days, allowing for gentle extraction of color and tannins.
• 🪵 Aged in a combination of 20% new wood, one-wine, and two-wine barrels, the 2000 vintage developed a complex profile with flavors of ripe blackberries, liquorice, and hints of vanilla and spice.
• 🌟 The 2000 vintage was considered legendary in Bordeaux, with ideal weather conditions leading to wines of exceptional quality and longevity.

Palate profile

Producer

Château Villa Bel-Air, located in the Graves appellation of Bordeaux, France, was constructed in the 18th century by Louis Dufaure, Marquis of Lajarte, an advisor to the Bordeaux parliament. In the late 19th century, Honoré Zappa, a Bordeaux wine merchant, enhanced the estate with Italian-inspired gardens and sculptures. The Cazes family acquired the property in 1988, initiating extensive vineyard and facility renovations, and named it "Villa Bel-Air" to reflect its Italian heritage. In 2017, the Ballande family took ownership, continuing to blend advanced viticultural techniques with traditional practices to produce wines that exemplify the finesse and complexity of Graves wines.