Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse)
Château Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse
Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse split with the rest of the Beausejour estate in the late 19th century. The winery remained somewhat under the radar for most of a century until the 1990 vintage became a cult hit when it scored 100 points with Robert M. Parker Jr and he called it was his “desert island wines”. But the 1990 was largely considered a bit of a one-hit-wonder until the last decade or so.
The small 6.75 ha vineyard is 80% Merlot with Cabernet Franc and a tiny amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate is gradually increasing the percentage of Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is well positioned in a single plot on top of the Saint-Émilion plateau. The average age of the vines is close to 35 years of age, with some vines being much older. The elevations on the hillside terroir range from 45 meters to 70 meters at its peak. The vineyard is managed using sustainable techniques with the goal of naturally low yields.
Fast-forward to the present and 2009 can be seen as the beginning of a new era for this tiny Saint-Émilion property. They issued one successful vintage after another hitting 100 points in 2015 and firmly establishing themselves in the highest echelon of the region. Indeed, in his note on the 2016 Jeb Dunnuck refers to the estate as now being “legendary”.
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (JA) | $824.00 | |||||
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)A curl of woodsmoke and cedar aromatics, peony and crushed roses, fleshy black fruits, rose petals, love the switch between the texture of opulent silk and pumice stone tannic grip, this is exceptionally good. Josephine Duffau Lagrosse's first vintage from beginning to end. A low 3.4ph, reflecting the limestone soils, bottling two months later than usual because of new cellar construction, so 18 months in barrel, 70% new oak, rest in one year old oak. Axel Marchal and Julien Viaud consultants. A potential 100 points during En Primeur, living up to billing. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 98 (DC) | $795.00 | |||||
Decanter (98)One of the clear standouts of the vintage! A sensual, fun, salivating and sublime wine from winemaker Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse that manages to give such generosity, power, terroir markers and overall drinkability. Aromatic, scented, open and expressive with cherries, blackcurrants, purple flowers and crushed stones. Sleek and supple, sharp, tangy acidity and concentrated ripe fruit - it’s forward and intense, direct but defined and detailed. Fine and supportive tannins have bite and a mineral tang putting you squarely in St-Emilion on limestone. Raw and wild in a way, but so expressive and open - honest and just such a captivating wine that belies the heat of the vintage with its cool menthol, blue fruits and lifted finish. Streamlined and focussed, sustained, determined and characterful - sleek in the best way, this is confident but not showy. Succulent, classy, polished. A brilliant wine. 3.5pH. A yield of 42hl/ha. Harvest 6 - 9 September for Merlot and 23 September for Cabernet Franc. Julien Viaud and Axel Marchal consultants. 98-100 points. |
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Bordeaux | 172 | 98 (JA) | $384.00 | |||||
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)Somehow manages to feel understated and yet hard to ignore, with its vivid aromatic spirals of peonies and crushed rose petals, set against raspberry and brambled autumnal fruits. The mid palate is what really grips you here, with a flashy but extremely pure shot of liquorice root, liquorice bud, aniseed and fennel. Slows things down through the palate with pumice stone grainy tannins, and contrasts the concentration of 2022 at this estate with balance and finisse. Harvest September 13 to October 3, Axel Marchal and Julien Viaud consultants. There will be a new wine cellar ready for the harvest of 2024, more concrete vats (from 9 currently up tp 15). Camille de Vigneau the technical director with Josephine Duffau Lagarrosse. Brilliant winemaking, one of the wines of the vintage. 60% new oak. |
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Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse)
(6x75cl)
2023
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Bordeaux | - | 98 (JA) |
$724 - $860 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)Somehow manages to feel understated and yet hard to ignore, with its vivid aromatic spirals of peonies and crushed rose petals, set against raspberry and brambled autumnal fruits. The mid palate is what really grips you here, with a flashy but extremely pure shot of liquorice root, liquorice bud, aniseed and fennel. Slows things down through the palate with pumice stone grainy tannins, and contrasts the concentration of 2022 at this estate with balance and finisse. Harvest September 13 to October 3, Axel Marchal and Julien Viaud consultants. There will be a new wine cellar ready for the harvest of 2024, more concrete vats (from 9 currently up tp 15). Camille de Vigneau the technical director with Josephine Duffau Lagarrosse. Brilliant winemaking, one of the wines of the vintage. 60% new oak. |
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Bordeaux | 26 | - | $187.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 9 | 91 (JD) | $226.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (91)The 2022 Croix De Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) is based on 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc brought up in 50% new French oak. It’s a juicy, lively, elegant second wine that has lovely cherry and darker fruits as well as some lively floral and herbal nuances. This medium-bodied, nicely balanced 2022 has integrated acidity and a great finish. Drink bottles over the coming 10-12 years. |
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