“There is so much freshness and vivacity in this Saint-Émilion that it really is a must-buy.” – Wine Advocate

Truth! Wow. What a wine at a plateau that weakens the knees. Had to take a breath to start writing…

All we needed was a 2014 Palmer to sell us. Now we’re obsessed with finding the hidden gems of the often overlooked 2014 Bordeaux vintage. Grabbed some of that Brane-Cantenac over the past hour? Good, now the spotlight turns to a perfect Right Bank counterpart.

From a spotlight by Vinous, “I ask co-proprietor Juliette, granddaughter of its founder, about the origin of the estate because it is a recent arrival compared to its peers. That might be surprising because its roots date back to 1787, the year that Jacques de Carles de Figeac, a military man in the Bourbon army, christened his land “Beau-Séjour”. The name translates as ‘lovely stay,’ and you can understand when you take in its panorama from its highest point…”

And as Wine Spectator brilliantly pointed out, “If you don’t know by now, you haven’t been paying attention: Château Beau-Séjour Bécot is in many ways the poster child for the new vanguard in Saint-Émilion… The Grand Vin here has evolved into a lovely wine of charming energy and captivating spirit. These impressive Merlot-based reds deserve a place in your cellar.”

So, make room, eh?! Where else are you going to find a perfectly mature Saint-Émilion that’s by one of only a dozen top-tier properties in its class? Back to the Vinous spotlight that says it all: “Consider the location of the vineyard, to wit, one of the best in Saint-Émilion. It is not unrealistic to suggest that Beau-Séjour Bécot ought to aim its sights at competing with Canon and Figeac as contenders to expand the Premier Grand Cru Classé “A” at some point in the future. We’ll see what the next chapter brings. Whatever it is, I feel certain that it will taste good.”

A budget of $69 a bottle gets you easily disappointed these days as Bordeaux values diminish. Finding such gems with great provenance makes for a big headliner.

And the best news? We brought in a good stash; the burning question is: will it last the hour?

94 Points – Vinous “I recently spent a crisp sunny morning at the estate in order to undertake a long-discussed vertical of Beau-Séjour Bécot from the first releases by Michel Bécot until the recently bottled 2015. The 2014 Beau-Séjour Bécot was picked between 8 and 20 October at 35hl/ha. It has a very well-defined aroma with superb mineralité, a very classy and sophisticated bouquet that aspires to something more intellectual than the previous three vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin; very cohesive and sensual with a fine bead of acidity. The precision here is greater than previous vintages and the mineralité really comes through on the aftertaste so that you can feel that limestone, maybe for the first time defining this wine and its personality. Drink 2018-2040.”

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast “While this powerful wine does have considerable over-extraction, it also has swathes of ripe berry fruits. There is enough fruity richness that it should eventually dominate the tough structure and harmonize; it just needs time.”

93 Points – Wine Advocate “The 2014 Beau-Séjour Bécot was tasted on two or three occasions. It has a generous and sensual bouquet with ample macerated red cherries, wild strawberry, vanilla pod and orange sorbet aromas. This is endowed with superb delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, beautifully integrated new oak, real depth and focus. You could argue that it needed to demonstrate more persistence on the finish but that would be clutching at straws. There is so much freshness and vivacity in this Saint-Émilion that it really is a must-buy. Drink 2019-2035.”

93 Points – Wine Spectator “This delivers a vibrant core of raspberry and boysenberry preserves, freshened with hints of mint, savory and tobacco, all carried by fine threads of charcoal through the finish. Reveals a lovely tug of sweet earth at the end. Best from 2022 through 2032.”