Ch.Beau-Sejour Becot 1998 750ml

Wine Advocate #134 Apr 2001
The 1998 exhibits flamboyant, obvious new oak, but unlike other years, there is more concentration, power, and depth behind the vanillin/pain grille notes. Full-bodied, dense, and chewy, with copious peppery, herb-tinged, red currant, black currant, and blackberry fruit, this is a lush, generously-endowed offering with a lightly tannic finish. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016.

Once a vineyard cultivated by the monks of the Church of St-Martin during the Middle Ages, in the 17th century it was acquired by the Geres family, the land then named Peycoucou. By marriage the estate came to the de Carle family, seigneurs of Figeac, and in 1787 General Jacques de Carle renamed the property to Beausejour. When the historic estate in its entirety came to Pierre-Paulin Ducarpe, it was divided in 1869 between his two children.
The daughter wed Duffau-Lagarosse, received what became Chateau Beausejour-Duffau-Lagarrosse (present day Chateau Beausejour) and his son inherited the half which was sold in 1924 to Dr. Fagouet, altering the name to Chateau Beausejour-Dr-Fagouet. The estate received its current name after it was acquired in 1969 by Michel Becot who began extensive efforts to modernise.Michel Becot retired in 1985, and the estate is to date run by the sons Gerard and Dominique Becot.
Beausejour Becot's 20 hectares of vineyards are superbly sited on a limestone plateau in the north-west part of the appellation. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon - the grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats, and the wine is matured in oak barriques (50-70% new) for 18-20 months. It is now one of the leading 1er Grand Cru Classé 'B' properties.

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