letuffeau.com
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Beau-Sejour Becot
Saint-Emilion
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Drinking Claret
(Shelf Price: $49.00)
Offer: $40.00
6-Pack: $200.00
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“A lot has been happening at this estate over the past few years as one generation has handed over to the next - perhaps, along with Troplong Mondot, it best represents the new wind that is blowing through the appellations, ruffling feathers in some places and smoothing them in others.
It lies almost entirely on the limestone plateau - an estimated 85 per cent of their vines, making it easily one of the biggest occuments - with the remaining 15 per cent on the cotes. Most of the soils are very shallow, close to the limestone, needing Fercal rootstock (always a giveaway for how much limestone there really is at the estate) ... the 2012 Classification saw the Chateau not only upheld as a 1er GGC-B, but also their La Gomerie ploit was included in the classified land.
Juliette took over full-time from her father in 2016. She decided to change the direction and soften the style a little. ‘It was not easy; Michel Rolland has been wonderful for our estate, and a long-term close friend of my father.’ Juliette says, aware that among Rolland's many contributions was helping them recover from their demotion in the 1996 ranking and to assure their return just ten years later. ‘But I have to make wines I believe in.’
The quality of some older vintages of Beau-Sejour Becot can be up and down. It always ages well, but can display some rustic tannins in more difficult years and was one of the more robust wines of the plateau in the 1990s and 2000s. It has been far more consistent from 2010 onwards, with liquorice and salinity two signatures that you are likely to find in most vintages. There's huge potential at this estate: it is definitely one that is worth watching.” Inside Bordeaux - Jane Anson”
Inside Bordeaux — Jane Anson
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~ please note : discounts are automatically applied at the digital check-out! ~
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Drinking Claret
Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot 2022 Bordeaux ‘Instant’
(Shelf Price: $49.00)
Offer: $40.00
6-Pack: $200.00 ($33.33333…/bottle)
“This bargain ‘Instant’ from Chateau Beau-Sejour brims enthusiastically with bright fruit and terroir-specificity. Boysenberry, bay, blood orange, and baking chocolate burst from the glass and make an instant appeal to the senses before the cerebral cortex kicks in and scents of limestone, oyster-shell, and faint vinesmoke notes emerge. Who am I kidding? this wine is about pure pleasure, retaining amply dense fruit, light tannin, and pleasingly chalky and refreshing mineral grip.
What a gorgeous entry-level offering from the famille Becot. Rare to see a wine at this price-point in Bordeaux, or indeed anywhere, that expresses the unique qualities of its terroir so clearly.
Gone in an instant, and needing a second glass. There is thinking claret and there is drinking claret. This is the latter.”
— David
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II
Thinking Claret
Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot 2014 Saint-Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe B
(Shelf Price: $329.00)
Offer: $298.00
6-Pack: $1650.00 ($275.00/bottle)
“The 2014 Beau-Sejor Becot has a concentrated nose of blackberry, raspberry and briar, the oak nicely integrated though it clearly needs time to open. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, caressing and silky smooth in the mouth with quality new oak. This feels very harmonious with a lightly spiced, cedar-tinged finish that lingers in the mouth, What an outstanding performance. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold (February 2018) tasting.”
94 points — Neal Martin, vinous.com
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“The 2014 Beau-Sejor Becot was picked between 8 and 20 October at 35hl/ha. It has a very well defined aroma with superb mineralite, a very classy and sophisticated bouquet that apsires to something more intellectual than the previous three vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin; very cohesive and sensual with a fine bead of acidity. The precision is greater here than previous vintages and the mineralite really comes through on the aftertaste so that you can feel that limestone, maybe for the first time defining this wine and its personality Tasted at the Chateau (April 2018).”
94 points — Neal Martin, vinous.com
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“But there's nothing shy about the excellent 2012, which has a lush black-cherry nose, a plump and accessible palate, ripe tannins, and a long spicy finish. The 2014 is even better, with a tad more purity and intensity, and a long, lean, elegant finish.”
The Complete Bordeaux (4th Ed.) — Stephen Brook
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If you would like any of the above, would like to come by for a private appointment, or just have some questions — please let us know.