Vineyard and winemaking
Cuvée Elie Rive is drawn from Bel Air’s ten-hectare property in Montagne-Saint-Émilion, where Merlot-dominant vines occupy a well-exposed clay-limestone plateau and a more clay-rich slope. The oldest plateau vines exceed 40 years, bringing depth and a firm mineral framework to the ripe fruit of the 2005 vintage.
After vinification, the wine spent 12 months in oak and another 12 months resting in bottle. Two decades of further development have integrated that oak and softened the tannins, allowing the cuvée’s dark fruit, savoury spice and mature earthy notes to come together.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep garnet with a brick-red rim and a concentrated centre.
Nose
Black plum, dried blackberry and cherry mingle with olive tapenade, cedar and coffee. A distinctive savoury note reminiscent of yeast extract sits beside tobacco and woodland floor.
Palate
Sumptuous but settled, with layers of dark fruit, mocha and black olive supported by smooth tannins. Fresh acidity gives the palate direction, ending with spice, earth and a long mineral close.
Food pairing
Pair with dry-aged sirloin, braised lamb neck, truffled mushrooms on toast, or green beans with garlic beside roast poussin. A mature Gouda will echo the wine’s nutty, savoury development.
Background story
This cuvée commemorates Elie Rive, who established the family’s connection to Bel Air by buying its first parcel on 26 August 1860. François Duverneuil returned the estate to prominence after taking charge in 2005, before his daughter Anaïs formally assumed operations in 2019.
Sommelier’s Choice is delighted to have privileged access to mature vintages from this family-owned, boutique estate, whose value and clear Right Bank identity align closely with our philosophy. Bottle variation is possible at this age; stand upright, open carefully and decant slowly only to remove sediment.
