Wine Words & Video Tape

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Château Beauséjour [Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse]

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This tiny [5.5ha]  St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Beauséjour [héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse] has been on top form recently, a period that neatly mirrors Nicolas Thienpont’s tenure as managers here along with winemaker David Suire and über consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt]. There is excellent purity in both 2013, 2012 and 2011 here. 2015 is ultra impressive with 2014 not far behind. The 2004 tasted recently, by comparison, was a little simple and un-evolved.

  • 2015 Deep and glossy; opaque at centre; lovely briary fruit; pure and really joyful; caressing but with intensity; lovely purity; great length; unadorned with oak or other distractions. This has lovely length. Exciting wine. [5.4ha in production, 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 34hl/ha]. Tasted Pavie Macquin 3/4/16. Drink 2023-2035. 95-97+
  • 2014 Deep and saturated; vibrant purple at edge; perfume; layers of fruit; quite pent up; wonderful stuff; spices; black cherry; plums but really creamy; layers and attractive stuff; nice entry; sweet fruit; purity and clean; nice width and mouthfeel; creamy at the edge but minerality too. Chalky note on the end. Lots of material – spicy finish. Very concentrated but fruit is sweet and attractive. Lovely stuff. [95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted 3 April at Château Pavie-Macquin. Drink 2022-2035. 94-96+
  • 2013 Deep and dark at the core; purple hues at edge; cooler than Pavie Macquin; lovely blue fruit tones, plums, spices; very cool palate with good purity; more sinewy and masculine. Very good purity here again and good length on the finish. [88% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6.5 acre vineyard 5.5 in production]. Tasted April 4, 2014 at Pavie-Macquin. Drink 2018-2030. 89-91+
  • 2012 Deep and saturated; very deep and tight to the rim; legs; very full and plump on the nose; lush; layer upon layer of ripe fruit – black cherry, summer compote, plum; very lush entry; plush palate with lots of material and depth. Chewy on the finish with some minerality. Very good length. Terrific wine. Very brave late picking here. 87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc 94-96+ Tasted Friday 12th April 2013 at Chateau Pavie Macquin
  • 2011 Black and saturated; tight to the edge; arterial; lots of inky fruit; slight streak of green but lots of black cherry; later opened up to reveal more black cherry fruit and dark chocolate notes, plus some redcurrants; extracted and chewy palate but all adds up. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. 60% new oak. Tasted blind at Groupement de Premiers Grands Crus Classes de Saint-Emilion at Chateau Canon 6/4/12. 90-92
  • 2010 Deep and thick in the glass; slightly stewed note here to begin with; not as polished and outwardly as fine as the rest; later opened up, smoke and blackfruits, some liquorice; menthol, like this very much also with oak from barrels; freshness initially on the palate; then intensity, grip, cool and well handled palate; real precision again, density and layers and layers; lots of chew and depth; good length. 93-95+/100. Tasted April 6 Groupement de Premiers Grands Crus Classes de Saint-Emilion.
  • 2004: Earthy red; deep core; dense looking still; sturdy rather un-evolved aromatics; chunky and inky; palate has chewy fruit and decent purity but feels a little compact and four square [certainly compared to the crowd pleasing Larcis Ducasse and Pavie Macquin ‘04s]. Still feels a bit undeveloped. Drink now – 2025. 89

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