Notify me
2018 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves
Château Belles-Graves sits just on the other side of a small river from the renowned estates of Pomerol, and while the hype and hordes of collectors may not cross the bridge over La Barbanne, quality certainly does. Made from mostly Merlot and a splash of Cabernet Franc, this velvety and refined rouge is approachable now despite having years of beautiful life ahead. Its notes of black cherries, stones, and a touch of tobacco, along with its fine acidity, make it a versatile red at table, but also wonderful on its own.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Lalande-de-Pomerol |
Country: | France |
Region: | Bordeaux |
Producer: | Château Belles-Graves |
Winemaker: | Xavier Piton |
Vineyard: | 40 years avg, 16.9 |
Soil: | Clay, Gravel |
Aging: | Wine is raised in French oak barrels, 25% of which is new, for twelve to fifteen months |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

2020 Sauternes
France | Bordeaux
This is truly artisanal Sauternes—made by hardworking farmers who are willing to sacrifice quantity for excellence.

2016 Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
There is nothing overdone in this chiseled, elegant cuvée made from organically grown and pampered Merlot.

2022 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
France | Bordeaux
Crafted from less than two hectares of organic grapes and vinified in a cramped garage, this is silky Saint-Emilion at its most seductive.

2016 Canon-Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
Divine with lemon and rosemary roasted lamb.

2020 Atlantique Blanc “Déclinaison”
France | Bordeaux
Artisanal white Bordeaux like you have never tasted before!

2011 Canon-Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
At thirteen years old, its brambly berry notes are but a memory of its youth. They have evolved and taken on a woodsier sophistication of shady underbrush, violet, and nutmeg.

2016 Canon Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
You may find it to be leaner and livelier than the rich, plush Merlots of Pomerol and Saint Emilion

2022 Sauternes “Esquisse”
France | Bordeaux
This refreshing dessert wine is versatile at table—it works wonders as an apéritif or with cheeses—and can still be cellared for several years.

2019 Pomerol
France | Bordeaux
The incredible depth, power, and fine but grippingly youthful tannins are text-book Pomerol.

2018 Pomerol “Clos Plince”
France | Bordeaux
This is the perfect example of a fine, elegant version of Merlot.
About The Producer
Château Belles-Graves
About The Region
Bordeaux
Often considered the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux and its wines have captured the minds, hearts, and wallets of wine drinkers for centuries. For many, the wines provide an inalienable benchmark against which all other wines are measured.
Bordeaux is divided into three winegrowing regions with the city that gives the region its name in the near geographical center. The “right bank,” or the area located east of the Dordogne River, produces wines that are predominantly Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The “left bank” is located to the west of the Garonne River and produces wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
The third region, Entre-Deux-Mers, lies between both rivers and produces white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. Though technically in the left bank, it is worth noting the appellation of Sauternes, which produces arguably the world’s most famous sweet wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle as well.
Though many top Bordeaux wines are sold en primeur (in advance of their bottling) and often through a middleman known as a negoçiant, Kermit has always preferred to purchase directly from the winemaker. For more than three decades he has sought out small producers, who make classic Bordeaux wines and are willing to play outside the negoçiant system. This ethic has led to longstanding relationships, excellent prices, and perhaps most important—wines of great value and longevity.
More from Bordeaux or France
2018 Pomerol “Clos Plince”
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Blanc “Définition”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes “Esquisse”
Domaine de l'Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2023 Graves Blanc
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2011 Canon-Fronsac
B. & G. Hubau France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes HALF BOTTLE
Château Roûmieu-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2022 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc “Les Fleurs de Graville”
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2020 Sauternes
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2018 Pomerol “Clos Plince”
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Blanc “Définition”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes “Esquisse”
Domaine de l'Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2023 Graves Blanc
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2011 Canon-Fronsac
B. & G. Hubau France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes HALF BOTTLE
Château Roûmieu-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2022 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc “Les Fleurs de Graville”
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2020 Sauternes
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211