Château Beau-Séjour Bécot St.-Emilion 2022

Juliette Bécot’s wine career began in 2001 working alongside her father, Gérard, who had made the wines since 1967. When he retired in 2015, Juliette wanted to honor his legacy by having Beau-Séjour Bécot considered among St.-Emilion’s elite. She revamped the winemaking, focusing on freshness, detail and precision. She and her husband, Julien Barthe, oversaw the construction of a new cellar, including new vinification tanks and a range of aging vessels, from barrels to foudres to clay amphorae. Much of the estate’s 54 acres of vines underwent replanting as well. Consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos joined in 2017, technical director Jean de Cournuaud in 2018. This estate is now among those leading the appellation.

Tasting Note

This is very fresh, expressive and focused, with violet, iris and rosehip notes darting to the fore, while flavors of sleek raspberry and red currant preserves race along behind. Almost flattering, but there’s a subtle chalky tension piercing the finish, which sails through. A dreamy wine. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2026 through 2040. 1,600 cases imported.—James Molesworth