Description
Château Godard-Bellevue
Francs, Côtes de Bordeaux is the smallest of the Bordeaux appellations, occupying the highest slopes of the Gironde, situated about a dozen miles East of Saint Emilion. The vineyards share the same argilo-calcaire soil of its illustrious Saint Emilion neighbour. For this reason, some of the most famous châteaux in Saint Emilion and Pomerol have been busy buying up properties in the Francs region. One of Pomerol’s most exclusive châteaux – Vieux Château Certan – has done just this with Château Puygueraud near Francs. As a consequence the prices of these wines have been steadily rising, but still represent excellent value for money.
Old vines facing the château
Château Godard-Bellevue is a 30-hectare vineyard, just outside Francs, and has been in the Arbo family for four generations. Bernadette and Joseph Arbo (shown below) took over the reins in 1988. Joseph has gone to great lengths to improve the quality of grapes in the vineyard. He has planted grass down the centre of the rows of the vines. This idea is becoming more common in some parts of Bordeaux, the intention being to improve the natural content of organisms in the soil and reduce the need for fertilisers and chemical herbicides.
Godard-Bellevue cave
He has also invested a lot of money in new vinification equipment and a new chais. When we revisited the family in the Spring of 2019 we were delighted with the continuing excellent quality of their red and white wines. We’ve waited until the two reds have had the chance to develop in bottle before shipping them, and they have now softened and are perfect for current drinking. The white is made in tiny quantities and this 2018 was the best vintage that I have tasted at their property.
We are offering a Mixed Dozen of four bottles of each of
Château Puyanché Blanc sec 2018
AOP Francs, Côtes de Bordeaux
Joseph took advice from the winemaker of the prestigious Graves property, Château Carbonnieux, when first making this wine and the results are superb. It is made from 50 year old vines, using the classic Graves blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon. The vinification is started in stainless steel, and then the wine is transferred to oak barriques where it continues its fermentation. Battonage is used to maximise lees contact, enhancing the texture of the wine.
It is pale lemon in colour with a juicy, exotic-fruit nose and just a hint of oak. The palate has flavours of white peach, pineapple, grapefruit and marzipan. There is surprising complexity, and it is the match for a more expensive White Graves. Perfect now but will last and develop in complexity over the next five years.
Château Godard-Bellevue 2016
AOP Francs, Côtes de Bordeaux
The two reds are made from 40 year old vines. In 2016 the blend is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. They spend 12 months in oak barriques of which 1/3 are new, 1/3 are one year old and 1/3 are two year old barrels – to ensure that the oak improves the texture of the wine without imparting obvious oak flavours.
The 2016 vintage was very good and the wine has a deep purple colour. On the nose there are beguiling aromas of blueberry and red fruits with hints of leather and woodsmoke. On the palate, there is great concentration of soft, rich dark fruits with a touch of liquorice at the finish, soft tannins and refreshing acidity.
It is lovely now, but will become more complex and softer over the next five years.
Awarded Medaille d’Argent Bordeaux, and Selectioné Guide Hachette
Château Godard-Bellevue 2015
AOP Francs, Côtes de Bordeaux
The 2015 vintage was a truly incredible vintage for all right bank wines in Bordeaux! There is a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in the 2015, with 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
It also is a deep purple colour. Aromas of cassis and griottes leap out of the glass, with hints of vanilla and grilled almonds. On the palate, there is superb concentration of soft, ripe berry fruit and spice, finishing with soft ripe tannins.
It is spot on for drinking now, but it also will become more complex and softer over the next five years.
Awarded Medaille d’Or Paris
STOP PRESS High acclaim from Decanter Magazine 90/100 ‘Château Godard Bellevue 2015. Plenty of oak signature, yet the fruit is balancing it and this is highly charged but sexy, sumptuous and would be a total pleasure to drink with a plate of tapas.’
