Notify me
2013 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves

Lalande-de-Pomerol has much in common with its more distinguished neighbor, Pomerol. With the area's mosaic of different soils and subtle changes in slope and aspect, there is more variation within either appellation than between the two. This plethora of micro-terroirs is what gives each chateau's wine a unique signature. Belles-Graves is the epitome of a "classic" Bordeaux estate—that is, the Chateau produces wines of subtlety, depth, complexity, and age-ability that consistently reflect the terroir from which they are born. At Belles-Graves, it's all about the gravel: you feel it crunching under your feet when you step out of the car, you see it in the vineyards, and you taste it in the wine. These small stones conserve the day's heat, allowing the fruit-Merlot with a touch of old-vine Cabernet Franc-to ripen fully each year. This gives Belles-Graves a plump roundness on the palate and a silky façade to the muscular spine concealed within. Soft and refined, it can be appreciated in its youth, while the powerful structure lurking beneath promises a bright future in your cellar.
—Anthony Lynch
Dustin's Pick
A consistently good, classically proportioned Bordeaux that's ready to drink now.
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2013 |
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

2017 Lalande-de-Pomerol
France | Bordeaux
A generous wine dominated by ripe black fruit with very supple, approachable tannins.

2019 Pomerol “Pom ‘N’ Roll”
France | Bordeaux
Dress-code-not-required Bordeaux, whose velvety tannins and supple structure fit more like soft flannel and worn jeans than a stiff suit jacket and tie

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

2017 Pomerol
France | Bordeaux
The incredible depth, power, and fine but grippingly youthful tannins are text-book Pomerol

2008 Canon-Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
This perfectly middle-aged rouge abounds with beautiful aromas of strawberries and cassis along with a certain woodsiness, and it feels deep and soulful—the way old-school Bordeaux should.

2018 Fronsac “Cuvée Piverts”
France | Bordeaux
Made without added sulfur, a transparent reflection of Merlot grown in the limestone and clay of Fronsac

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

2015 Haut-Médoc
France | Bordeaux
A structured, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon for the ages.

2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
France | Bordeaux
A generous wine dominated by ripe black fruit with very supple, approachable tannins

2012 Haut-Médoc
France | Bordeaux
It reminds me of dried tobacco, stones, and black currant, and it should drink well for two decades.
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
2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2014 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2019 Sauternes “Esquisse”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2017 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2017 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2015 Haut-Médoc
Château Aney France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Sauternes
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2010 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes
Château Roûmieu-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2014 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2019 Sauternes “Esquisse”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2017 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2017 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2015 Haut-Médoc
Château Aney France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Sauternes
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2010 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2022 Sauternes
Château Roûmieu-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117