CH BELLE VUE ‘LE CHATEAU’ R

Château Belle-Vue ‘Le Chateau’ is the estate’s exceptionally limited and prestigious red wine, produced from organically farmed, high-altitude vineyards in Bhamdoun, Mount Lebanon. Made in tiny quantities of only a few hundred cases, Le Chateau is a luxurious blend centred on Cabernet Franc and Syrah, with smaller additions of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot depending on the vintage. The grapes are hand-selected from high-elevation parcels, with the Cabernet Franc grown at around 1,100 metres and Syrah at approximately 945 metres, allowing the wine to combine freshness, aromatic intensity and remarkable concentration.

In the glass, Le Chateau reveals a deep ruby to garnet colour with striking purple hues. The nose is perfumed and complex, opening with ripe blackberry, black cherry and dark red berries, followed by violet, tobacco leaf, cedar and warm spices such as clove and pepper. Subtle earthy and mineral notes add depth, while nuances of vanilla, incense and gentle oak gradually emerge as the wine opens. The combination of floral Cabernet Franc character and darker, spicier Syrah aromas gives the bouquet an especially elegant and distinctive personality.

On the palate, Château Belle-Vue ‘Le Chateau’ is rich, velvety and beautifully structured. Layers of ripe blackberry, black cherry and dark red fruit form the core, complemented by white pepper, liquorice, cocoa and warm spice. The Syrah contributes depth, richness and peppery character, while Cabernet Franc provides freshness, aromatic lift and refined structure. Fine-grained tannins create a smooth, silky texture, while carefully integrated oak introduces subtle notes of cedar, vanilla, toast and tobacco. Depending on vintage and maturity, additional nuances of candied orange peel, coffee, violet and earthy spice can emerge, adding further complexity to the palate.

The finish is long, luxurious and persistent, with lingering flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, tobacco, cedar, liquorice, pepper and warm spice. Fresh acidity keeps the wine lively beneath its generous fruit concentration, while polished tannins provide a firm yet elegant framework. The wine’s combination of concentration, freshness and structure gives it impressive ageing potential, with mature bottles capable of developing additional layers of leather, dried herbs, earth and savoury complexity. The limited production and extended development of Le Chateau make it a particularly distinctive expression of Mount Lebanon’s high-altitude terroir.

Food Pairing: This luxurious Lebanese red is ideally suited to roast beef, premium grilled steak, slow-roasted lamb, venison, game meats and beef short ribs. Its peppery, savoury character also complements roasted duck, herb-crusted meats, smoky barbecue and rich slow-cooked dishes. For an elegant cheese pairing, serve it with aged Cheddar, mature Gouda, Comté or other firm, full-flavoured cheeses. Its depth and complexity also make it an excellent wine to enjoy on its own after a meal.

Serving Suggestion: Serve at approximately 16–18°C to allow the wine’s dark fruit, floral, tobacco and spice character to express itself fully. A young bottle benefits from 45–60 minutes of decanting, giving the Cabernet Franc and Syrah aromatics time to unfold and allowing the tannins to soften. Serve in a large Bordeaux or Rhône-style red wine glass to enhance its perfume, silky texture and exceptionally long finish.