Château Belles-Graves 2019

Lalande-de-Pomerol, Bordeaux – Organic & Vegan Red Wine, Elm Wood Gift Box

A Bordeaux with one of the best stories in wine. Château Belles-Graves is a family estate whose wines sailed the world aboard Jacques-Yves Cousteau's famous ship, the Calypso. The 2019 is a generous, velvety Merlot-led red, presented in a solid elm wood box lined with blue silk. It is ready to give, with no wrapping needed.

The Wine That Sailed with Cousteau

Commander Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the great ocean explorer, was a first cousin of Jean Theallet of Belles-Graves. He loved to come back to the estate to enjoy its calm and the festive grape harvests he remembered from childhood. Bottles of Belles-Graves travelled on the Calypso and were poured for guests on expeditions across the world's oceans.

Four Centuries of History

The vineyards appear on a map of the region from the 16th century, and the château building dates from the 18th century, before the French Revolution. The writer Prosper Mérimée, author of Carmen, is said to have stayed within its walls on his travels. The Piton family has owned the estate since 1938, and today Xavier Piton makes the wine. He took part in his first harvest at the age of three.

A Story of Resilience

On 21 April 1991, three years after Xavier took over, a single night of frost destroyed the estate's entire harvest. The family rebuilt, and Belles-Graves is now one of the most respected estates in Lalande-de-Pomerol.

The Place

Lalande-de-Pomerol sits just north of Pomerol on Bordeaux's Right Bank. Belles-Graves stands on a sunny hillside looking across to the vineyards of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. The estate is named after its "beautiful gravels": the gravel soils warm quickly, helping the Merlot ripen early and fully. You get much of Pomerol's plump, earthy charm for a fraction of the price.

Tasting Notes

• Grapes: 88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc
• Nose: Ripe black fruit, plum and blackcurrant
• Palate: Generous and rounded, with very supple, velvety tannins
• Ageing: Delicious now and capable of another decade, gaining notes of truffle and leather as it matures

Food Pairing

• Roast lamb or beef fillet
• Duck, venison and game
• Wild mushroom, chestnut or lentil dishes for a vegan pairing
• Aged hard cheeses

The Gift Box

Natural elm wood with a blue silk lining, holding one 75cl bottle. A keepsake long after the wine is gone. Ideal for:

• Christmas and New Year
• Birthdays, anniversaries and retirements
• Corporate and client gifts
• Anyone who loves the sea, history or a good story

Wine Specification

Delivery

We deliver across the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, usually in 2 to 4 days. Free delivery on orders over £100. Every order is packed plastic-free. Ordering several boxes for clients or staff? Call 028 7962 8736 or email info@absoluteorganicwine.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a good gift for a wine lover?
Yes. It is a proper Right Bank Bordeaux from a historic family estate, with a story to tell when the bottle is opened, and the elm box makes it feel like an occasion.

What is the Cousteau connection?
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a first cousin of Jean Theallet of Château Belles-Graves, and the estate's wines travelled aboard his ship, the Calypso.

Where is Lalande-de-Pomerol?
On Bordeaux's Right Bank, just north of Pomerol. It is known for soft, Merlot-based reds with much of Pomerol's character at a gentler price.

Is this wine organic and vegan?
Yes, it is organic and vegan.

Should I drink it now or keep it?
Both. It is drinking beautifully now and will keep developing for around another ten years.

Do you deliver to Ireland?
Yes. We deliver across the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, usually in 2 to 4 days.