Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot 2012, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Description

Château Beau-Séjour Bécot is a St Emilion wine estate categorised as a Premier Grand Cru Classé B in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine.

Previuosly known as Château Beauséjour-Dr-Fagouet, the Chateau acquired its current name when Michel Bécot bought the property in 1969. Michel retired in 1985 and the estate is currently run by his two sons, Gérard and Dominique Bécot. Michel Rolland is a consultant to Château Beau-Séjour Bécot.

The vineyards cover some 16.5 hectares and are planted with 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. These are well sited on a limestone plateau in the north-west of the appellation. After harvesting, grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and the wine is aged in oak barriques (50 to 70% new) for 18 to 20 months. As well as the main Chateau wine, a second wine, Tournelle de Beau-Séjour Bécot and a “garagiste” wine, La Gomerie, is also produced. Controversially, Beau-Séjour Bécot was stripped of its 1er Grand Cru Classé status in 1985 because Michel Bécot had incorporated some non 1er Cru rated vineyards and was classified as a St.Emilion Grand Cru. This decision was reversed in 1996 and Château Beau-Séjour Bécot is now considered to be one of the best performing 1er Grand Cru Classé B properties.