Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru 2017
$85.00
Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot Saint-Emilion 2017 is attractive, but it is also very much a wine of the old guard here. There is good depth and resonance, but not the detail or expansiveness that is the norm these days. Pretty floral and spice overtones add lovely aromatic presence to this pliant, open-knit Saint-Emilion.
Vinous: 92 pts.
About
Château Beauséjour is situated on the left bank of Dordogne River, at the top of the Montagne Saint Émilion hillside, 2.5 miles (4 km) from Saint Émilion.
This estate is the perfect example of the appellation, both due to the imposing appearence prestigious look of the buildings (castle and chai) and to the outstanding location of the vineyard, stretching from outside Saint Martin’s church (12th- century Romanesque church, in the heart of Montagne village) to the five mills of Calon (2 of which have been perfectly restored and… are in working order).
An outstanding terroir…
The various vineyard plots are named Paradis, Clos de l’Église, Clos 1901, Moulin, Caillou… and all of them have the characteristic of being located on the mountaintop of Montagne. They are composed of a 8 to 20 inches (20 to 50 cm) deep chalky-clay soil, laid on a fissured limestone base (the subsoil is full of quarries from which stones were used to build Bordeaux and Libourne in the previous centuries) which redistributes water (drop by drop!) to the vines during the summer.
The plots are situated on a gentle slope, south and southwest facing, allowing natural drainage and a sunshine which are very suitable for the vines. The whole area is well ventilated (the numerous windmills attest to this…), ensuring to the vine a good, healthy environment, greatly reducing blight and allowing the grapes to be harvested at optimal ripeness.
The age of the vines (some plots were planted in 1901, 1902, 1934 and 1946!) and this outstanding chalky-clay soil produce a distinctive wine, ideal for ageing, magnificently produced following the guidelines laid down by Stéphane Derenoncourt since the vintage 2005.
Château Beauséjour, created from this outstanding terroir, has now become one of the greatest Bordeaux wines.
Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru 2017 is attractive, but it is also very much a wine of the old guard here. There is good depth and resonance, but not the detail or expansiveness that is the norm these days. Pretty floral and spice overtones add lovely aromatic presence to this pliant, open-knit Saint-Emilion.
