Château Beau-Séjour Bécot - Saint Émilion Grand Cru 2012

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.

“This is a finely balanced wine that's ripe and structured at the same time. It has richness and spice, with a powerful context of wood, juicy blackberry fruits and delicious acidity. With such concentration, this is a wine with excellent ageing potential.” - 95 Points, Wine Enthusiast 

“A spectacular wine from this nearly 50-acre vineyard situated atop St.-Emilion’s famed limestone plateau, the final blend for the 2012 Beau-Sejour Becot was 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. It achieved 14% natural alcohol and yields were 31 hectoliters per hectare. One of the stars of the vintage, it is elegant yet powerful, rich and authoritative with abundant black raspberry, blueberry, graphite and toasty vanillin notes. Full-bodied and super rich for a 2012, it is packed with potential. The tannins are ripe as well as abundant suggesting several years of bottle age will be required. It should turn out to be a 20 year proposition.” - 95 Points, Wine Advocate

Producer: Château Beau-Séjour Bécot

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Appellation: Saint Émilion Grand Cru

Vintage: 2012

Size: 750ml