Ch.Beau-Sejour Becot 2009 750ml

Wine Advocate #199, Dec 23, 2011
My favorite Beau-Sejour-Becot to date, this sumptuous, dense blue/purple-hued 2009 reveals a blockbuster nose of blueberry pie, black fruits, licorice, forest floor, spring flowers and a hint of mocha. A blend of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon made from tiny yields of 27 hectoliters per hectare, this big, inky, powerful, tannic wine is sensationally concentrated. With an unctuous texture, full-bodied power and tremendous levels of tannin (largely concealed behind a cascade of rich fruit), this is a fabulous effort from a beautifully situated St.-Emilion premier grand cru classe. It will need 5-8 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades.

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.

Meats, Beef and Venison