2020 Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux

2020 Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux

Product: 20208124041
Neal Martin, Vinous87-89/100
Jane Anson92/100
Wine Advocate90-92/100
Jancis Robinson MW16/20
James Suckling92-93/100
Jeb Dunnuck90-92/100
 
2020 Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux

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Description

The 2020 Joanin Bécot was affected by a hailstorm in May which resulted in some Cabernet Franc being parsed out from the blend, so this year there is half the normal production. It has quite a dense and quite earthy nose, introverted black fruit mixed with potpourri and traces of orange zest, the latter becoming more prominent with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with dry, gritty tannins with a smudge of dark chocolate towards the sandy finish. It needs a little more flesh around the bones, but that should come during its barrel maturation.

Drink 2025 - 2030

Neil Martin, vinous.com (April 2021)

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Critics reviews
Neal Martin, Vinous87-89/100
The 2020 Joanin Bécot was affected by a hailstorm in May which resulted in some Cabernet Franc being parsed out from the blend, so this year there is half the normal production. It has quite a dense and quite earthy nose, introverted black fruit mixed with potpourri and traces of orange zest, the latter becoming more prominent with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with dry, gritty tannins with a smudge of dark chocolate towards the sandy finish. It needs a little more flesh around the bones, but that should come during its barrel maturation.

Drink 2025 - 2030

Neil Martin, vinous.com (April 2021) Read more
Jane Anson92/100
Full of life, with a blueberry coulis burst on the attack and raspberry leaf edging. Some austerity to the tannins, but settles in to the glass, and this should be ready to go within a year or two of bottling. A yield of 20hl/ha, low mainly from the hail at the end of May rather than the drought. They lost around 40% of the vineyard (also why less Cabernet Franc is in the blend than usual). Consultant Thomas Duclos, technical director Jean de Cornuaud. The estate is located in St-Philippe d'Aiguilhe, with a cooler terroir than Beausejour Becot, meaning harvest here was September 19th to October 9th.

Drink 2023 - 2036

Jane Anson, Decanter (April 2021) Read more
Wine Advocate90-92/100
The 2020 Joanin Becot has a deep purple-black color and fragrant notions of Morello cherries, black raspberries, stewed plums and violets, with hints of cardamom and Sichuan pepper, plus a touch of forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, delivering compelling freshness and a beautifully harmonious finish.

Drink 2024 - 2038

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (May 2021) Read more
Jancis Robinson MW16/20
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 20 hl/ha (half the usual volume due to hail). No SO2 (at this stage). Cask sample. Pretty floral nose with violet notes. Hint of boiled sweets/hard candy as well. Lively and fruity, the tannins well honed. Touch of oak from the prise de bois but should settle.

Drink 2024 - 2030

James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com (May 2021) Read more
James Suckling92-93/100
This is very spicy with lots of crushed sea salt and cloves. Dark fruit, chocolate and blackberries. Very round, yet chewy. A luxurious red from this appellation. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (April 2021) Read more
Jeb Dunnuck90-92/100
Readers looking for a good case purchase that will provide lovely, classic drinking over the coming decade should look at the 2020 Château Joanin Bécot. Medium-bodied, beautifully fruited, and textured, with ripe tannins and a great mid-palate, it’s a no-brainer purchase.

Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com (May 2021) Read more

About this WINE
Chateau Joanin Becot

Chateau Joanin Becot

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Côtes de Castillon

Côtes de Castillon

To the east of the St Émilion wine appellation, and on the north bank of the Dordogne, Côtes de Castillon has been the site of considerable interest and investment since the early 2000s. Wine production is significant, yielding over 1.5 million cases per annum and quality is quite variable, ranging from the everyday from the sandy and light gravel soils to imposing, aspirational wines benefiting from considerable investment, and made from the clay and limestone vineyards on higher slopes.

The style of these latter wines is akin to good St Émilion, and the wines use predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In common with other regions recognised to produce interesting and good-value wines, several well-known St Émilion proprietors have invested in the appellation over the past decade, among them Gérard Perse of Ch. Pavie, Stephan Von Neipperg of Canon-la-Gaffelière, and consultant Stéphane Derénoncourt.

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Merlot/Cabernet Franc

Merlot/Cabernet Franc

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grape varieties commonly used in Bordeaux-style blends, particularly in the Bordeaux region of France. When these two grapes are blended, they can create a wine that combines the best characteristics of each variety.

Merlot is known for its smoothness, soft tannins, and ripe fruit flavours. It often contributes black cherry, plum, and chocolate flavours to the blend. The grapes are relatively easy to grow and ripen earlier than other Bordeaux varieties, making them versatile for blending.

Cabernet Franc, on the other hand, adds structure, depth, and complexity to the blend. It typically brings aromas of red fruits such as raspberry and strawberry, along with herbal notes like bell pepper and tobacco. These grapes have thinner skins and can be more challenging to cultivate, requiring specific growing conditions to reach their full potential.

When Merlot and Cabernet Franc are combined, the result is a well-balanced wine with various flavours and aromas. The blend often exhibits a Bordeaux wine's medium to full body, along with a smooth texture and moderate tannins. The specific flavour profile can vary depending on the proportions of each grape in the blend and the terroir and winemaking techniques employed.

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