Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2021

Rose-edged raspberries on the nose with blackcurrant leaf, soft herbal and earthy tones too. Gently floral and perfumed – so welcoming. Direct and streamlined on the palate with gently chalky/creamy tannins that are so integrated they just glide across the tongue settling around the mouth giving a salty tang to the juicy red and black fruit. Such a lovely freshness; this is delicate in terms of texture and overall frame but well positioned and expressive, benefitting from racy acidity and fruit density. It’s harmonious and balanced with such detail on the palate giving transparency of the vintage, the terroir and the grapes. Confident and finessed: a distinguished 2021 that will give a lot of drinking pleasure. 3.5pH. 32hl/ha

The 2021 Beau-Séjour Bécot has realized all the potential it showed from barrel, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild berries and plums mingled with notions of violets, lilac, forest floor and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and pure, with a fleshy core of fruit that's framed by supple, polished tannins and bright acids, it's seamless and sensual, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. As readers may remember, it was cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, delivering a blend based on Merlot with some 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon in a supporting role.

An absolutely brilliant wine in the vintage, the 2021 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot has a concentrated, medium-bodied style that never puts a foot wrong. Black raspberries, flowers, chalky minerality, and subtle truffly notes all define this vibrant 2021, and it has beautifully integrated tannins. As always with this terroir, it's not a blockbuster yet shines for its finesse, elegance, and complexity.

Lots of blue fruit with violets and a hint of boysenberry. Medium body, integrated and fine tannins and a cool, linear finish. Solid length and brightness.

The 2021 Beau-Séjour-Bécot was picked September 21 to October 15, almost a whole month, with crews working half-days to pick at optimal maturity in each parcel. Yields were 33hL/ha, and the wine matured in 55% new oak, 25% amphora and 20% used barrels for a planned 16 months. Tasted twice; the first sample was a bit bashful, but the bottle poured at the château was much better. It has a mixture of red and black fruit, dried rose petal, bergamot and a touch of chalk. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, a fine level of acidity (pH 3.5) and mineral-laden red fruit. It shows fine transparency and appreciable energy and tension. 13.2% alcohol

The 2021 Beausejour Becot is composed of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on clay and limestone located on the limestone plateau, and aging in 55% new oak and 25% amphora. Deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out with playful scents of Morello cherries, strawberry preserves, and raspberry leaves, followed by hints of dried roses, incense, cinnamon toast, and tobacco leaves with a touch of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, with a racy backbone and plenty of red berry layers, textured by soft, satiny tannins, delivering a pure, fruity finish. pH 3.5.