List of products by brand CHATEAU BELGRAVE
Château Belgrave stands among the handful of Haut-Médoc properties that combine a centuries-long history, a gravel terroir recognised since 1855, and a contemporary momentum acknowledged by international critics. A château we follow with close attention.
A hunting lodge, a classification, a name
The origins of Château Belgrave reach back to the reign of Louis XIV, when the property served as a royal hunting lodge. In the landmark 1855 Classification, it was listed as a 5th Grand Cru Classé under the name Coutenceau. Marcel Alibert — founder of the Syndicat des Grands Crus Classés — subsequently renamed it Belgrave.
The modern chapter opened in 1979, when the château passed to the CVGB, with management entrusted to Dourthe. That transition proved decisive: the vineyard was restructured, the winery modernised, and the estate gradually recovered the consistency befitting its classified rank.
Terroir: deep gravel over clay, two ridges above the Médoc plain
The 60-hectare vineyard sits on the commune of Saint-Laurent-Médoc, on two gravel ridges cresting at 23 and 26 metres, formed by ancient Garonne alluvial deposits. These graves profondes over a clay subsoil provide excellent drainage and the heat retention that is the hallmark of the finest Médoc terroirs. The elevation ensures good air circulation and the slow, even ripening that gives the wines their structure and longevity.
The encépagement reflects the classic Haut-Médoc palette: Cabernet Sauvignon leads, supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The château holds HVE certification, governing biodiversity, water management, and the reduction of chemical inputs across the estate.
Winemaking: precision in the cellar
Under Dourthe's technical direction, vinification is conducted parcel by parcel, allowing each plot and variety to be assessed independently before the final assemblage. Élevage takes place in French oak, with new wood calibrated to each vintage's structure. The result is a precise, well-framed Bordeaux that rewards patience in the cellar.
The wines of Château Belgrave
The château produces exclusively red wine under the Haut-Médoc appellation. Our selection includes:
- Château Belgrave Haut-Médoc — the Grand Vin, built on Cabernet Sauvignon, with the depth and precision of a classified growth. The 2021 vintage was ranked in the Vinous Top 100 2024, making it the sole classified Haut-Médoc growth in that selection.
- Diane de Belgrave — the second wine, offering earlier accessibility while sharing the same terroir and winemaking rigour. An excellent introduction to the estate.
Why we have selected Château Belgrave
We list Château Belgrave because it represents something increasingly valuable in Bordeaux: a classified growth that has earned its place through consistent quality. Three reasons stand out. First, the terroir credentials are impeccable — deep gravel ridges at Saint-Laurent-Médoc, recognised since 1855. Second, Dourthe's management brings technical rigour and vintage-to-vintage reliability we have observed across many years of tasting. Third, the Vinous Top 100 2024 recognition for the 2021 vintage is an independent critical endorsement — and the fact that Belgrave was the only Haut-Médoc Cru Classé to appear speaks for itself. We recommend these wines to Bordeaux enthusiasts building a cellar and to those seeking a classified growth for the table.
Explore all wines from Château Belgrave
Browse our full selection of vintages from this Haut-Médoc château below, and add directly to your cellar. Our team is on hand to guide your choice.