Chateau Beau Sejour Becot Saint Emilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classe) 2011

Château Beau-Séjour Bécot a prestigious Saint-Émilion estate which boasts a rich history is located just to the west of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion in the very heart of this prestigious appellation.

Classified a Premier Grand Cru Classé until 1986, the chateau lost its rank as a "Premier", but regained it in 1996 thanks to a ruling by the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d'Origine).

Originally named Beau-Séjour in 1787 by then-owner General Jacques de Carle, the estate was purchased by Michel Bécot in 1969 from Doctor Jean Fagouet. Bécot expanded the vineyard in 1979, increasing its size from 10.5 to 15 hectares by acquiring land on the Trois Moulins plateau, at which point the château adopted its current name.

The vines benefit from homogenous, high-quality soil. Since Michel Bécot's retirement in 1985, his sons, Gérard and Dominique, have managed the property.

"The 2015 Beau- Séjour-Bécot is a sensational powerhouse of a Saint-Emilion that does everything right.

Mostly Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a ripe, voluptuous effort loaded with notions of cassis, ripe plum, and black cherry fruit intermixed with incense, spring flowers, and damp earth.

It has enough tannin to warrant short-term cellaring, but it’s still undeniably delicious today. It will drink nicely for two decades.

This cuvee comes from 19.5-hectare vineyard sitting on the upper, limestone dominated plateau, from vines averaging 40 years in age, was harvest between October 5th to the 9th and was aged 17 months in 85% new French oak."

94/100 Jeb Dunuck