Château Beau-Séjour Bécot - Saint Émilion Grand Cru 2010

The 22-hectare vineyard of Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot has 17 hectares of vines with the goal of being 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. There is also a minor amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyard as well which is going to be removed.

On average the vines are close to 45 years of age. But they have old vines as well. In fact, some of their oldest Merlot vines date back almost 75 years. The Right Bank vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,600 vines per hectare. Although new plantings are taking place at higher levels of density at 7,200 vines per hectare.

Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot is located on the limestone plateau of Saint Emilion with a terroir of clay that has deep, limestone soils. Below the surface there is an endless array of limestone tunnels and quarries, that really explain what makes the wine of Beau-Sejour Becot so special.

The vineyard increased in size in 2012. The increase in size was due to the inclusion of the vines previously used by their other Saint Emilion estate, La Gomerie. With the exception of that parcel, most of it is on top of the plateau.

“Wonderful nose with loads of dark chocolate, plums and some coffee. Opens up with orange peel, leather and vanilla. Full and round on palate with beautiful fruit and sweet polished tannins. Long and gorgeous with a really smooth texture. Drink from 2017.” - 95 Points, James Suckling

“The 2010 Beau-Séjour Bécot was picked between 5 and 22 October. This has an outstanding bouquet that is superior to anything that preceded it: a mixture of red and black fruit, undergrowth, minerals, iris and crushed violet. The oak here is seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine line of acidity, quite sensual in the mouth, especially for a 2010, that makes this more approachable that many of its peers. There is immense depth and certainly it constitutes the most powerful Bécot to date. Yet the precision and detail on the finish takes it to a higher level than the 2009 and you come away with the feeling that this is a benchmark for the Bécot family. Patience will be needed, but will be repaid. Tasted at the château.” - 95 Points, Vinous

"A blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine from a moderately sized vineyard was cropped at only 27.5 hectoliters per hectare and came in at 14.5% natural alcohol. The wine displays plenty of toasty oak and vanillin as well as some lead pencil shavings intermixed with cedar, black currants, cherry jam, chocolate and espresso. It is a relatively big, dense, full-bodied St.-Emilion that needs 5-6 years of cellaring and that should keep well for up to two decades.” - 93 Points, Wine Advocate

Producer: Château Beau-Séjour Bécot

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Appellation: Saint Émilion Grand Cru

Vintage: 2010

Size: 750ml