Château Beau-Séjour Bécot

Beau-Séjour Bécot, an llustrious St. Emilion property was stripped of its 1er Grand Cru Classé status in 1985 and was relegated to the category of St.Emilion Grand Cru due to Michel Bécot's incorporation of a couple of non 1er grand cru vineyards. The decision was reversed in 1996 and Beau-Séjour Bécot is now one of the leading 1er Grand Cru Classé 'B' properties.

Beau-Séjour Bécot's 20 hectares of vineyards are superbly sited on a limestone plateau in the north-west part of the appellation. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon - the grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats, and the wine is matured in oak barriques (50-70% new) for 18-20 months.

The ubiquitous Michel Rolland is a consultant at Beau-Séjour Bécot and the wines, not surprisingly, are full-bodied, concentrated and rich with layers of seductive cassis-scented fruits and hints of smoky new oak.