Chateau Beau Site Cru Bourgeois Superieur, St Estephe

Producer Note

"Beau-Site" means beautiful site and lies just behind Grand Cru Château Calon-Segur on one of Medoc's highest points with fantastic views over the river Gironde. It was originally classified as a Cru Bourgeois Superieur in 1932 but in 1966 Beau Site was reclassified as a Cru Grand Bourgeois Exceptionnel. The Castéja family, who also own Château Batailley and Château Trotte Vieille, bought the château in 1955. The château has nearly 100 hectares of vines with an average age of 35 years. Beau-Site's 18th century underground cellar is one of the oldest in the Médoc and presents the perfect maturing conditions for a wine that is vinified with the same care and technique as a Grand Cru Classé. Beau-Site's wine is full of power and temperament, a typical Saint-Estèphe with tannins allowing for keeping this wine for some years.

Vintage

2013 in Bordeaux was a challenging vintage, resulting in lower yields. A cool, wet winter, continued into spring, but the summer brought about warmer, sunny weather which allowed the grapes to achieve good ripeness levels. September was cool, but good diurnal temperatures differences promoted ripening. 2013 required attention in the vineyard; precise focus on the harvest dates, meticulous selection of the grapes and care and attention in the cellar, has resulted in a satisfying wine, which has retained its structure and aromatic fruit.

Vineyard

The vineyard sits on predominantly gravel soil which provides good drainage for the vines. The vines, which have an average age of 36 years, are trained according to the double Guyot method and are planted at a density of 5,500 per hectare. The average yields are 40 hectolitres per hectare.

Winemaking

The grapes were manually sorted and de-stemmed before being gently pressed. Fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for four weeks, with each plot vinified separately. Malolactic fermentation took place in the stainless steel tanks. The wine was then matured in French oak for a period of 16 months.

Tasting Note

The majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend yields a wine with ripe blackcurrant, cedar tree and earthy aromas. Notes of bilberry, spice and hints of cigar continue on the palate which is enveloped in smooth, ripe tannins. This wine shows lovely balance, depth and structure with an elegantly spiced finish.

Serving Suggestion

A wonderful partner to oven-roasted red and white meats or game.

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Petit Verdot 2%