Ch.Beausejour Duffau 2008 750ml

Wine Advocate #194, May 02, 2011 by Robert Parker Jr
The closed, austere 2008 represents the old school philosophy of winemaking employed at Beausejour-Duffau before Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt controlled the viticulture and winemaking starting in 2009. A 21,000-bottle blend of 70% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2008 exhibits high tannin, medium body and an impressively elegant style. It is already revealing the nobility of this exquisite vineyard. However, the wine does not possess the extra gear of aromatic and flavor dimensions to merit an outstanding review. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 15-20.

Château Beausejour Duffau is one of the 13 Premier Grand Cru Classes in the appellation of St Emilion. Formerly fully titled Château Beauséjour-Duffau-Lagarrosse, was originally part of a single estate with Château Beau-Séjour-Bécot. In 1869 the vineyards were split up between the owner's two children and they have been owned and run separately ever since. Beauséjour-Duffau, a 1er Grand Cru Classé B property, is located on the Côtes of St-Emilion, on the edge of a limestone plateau.
Beausejour-Duffau's 7 hectares of vineyards are planted with Merlot (70%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel and concrete vats and the wine is aged in barriques (50% new) for 18 months. It is bottled unfiltered. Under the brilliant management of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt quality has soared. The estate consistently produces complex St-Emilion wines which are intense, powerful, full-bodied and redolent of black fruits, spices and minerals. It shows at its best with at least 6-7 years of bottle age.

Meats, Beef and Venison