Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Bellefont Belcier wears its cedary oak at the forefront at this stage, giving way to scents of baked blackberries, black cherries and mulberries plus wafts of Christmas cake and tobacco. Medium-bodied, the palate is firmly textured with grainy tannins and has a great core of muscular fruit, finishing with a lovely herbal lift. A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak, 40% new.