Château Beau-Séjour Bécot 2009

Only the alcohol is a bit distracting at this early stage, but it is ultimately balanced by the refined, fresh tannins. The maturation has provided better balance – pleasing.

Dark but racy, with chocolate-covered raspberry and blackberry fruit carried by graphite and toasty cinnamon, plus black tea and anise flavors. Firms up on the finish, with a lovely note of singed apple wood that should meld nicely after cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2024. 4,600 cases made.

Aromas of blueberries and minerals with hints of dried flowers. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a bright finish. Structured on the finish and should open up nicely with age. Fresh. Better after 2017.

The 2009 Beau-Séjour Bécot was picked between 2 and 14 October. Like many 2009s it has an extravagant bouquet with red berry fruit, damson jam, hints of wild honey and crème de cassis. The oak is nicely integrated but it is the growing season that is doing the talking. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. Perhaps somewhat predictably it feels quite plush in the mouth but it retains admirable freshness and there is great backbone towards the ambitious finish. It pulls everything back from the brink when anything more might have tipped this 2009 into being "ostentatious" or "flash". Superb. Tasted at the château.

Continuing to develop nicely, the wine blends layers of ripe, opulent fruits with minerality, flowers, espresso, and licorice. There is length, complexity, and lift in the waves of fruit on the palate and in the finish. Drink now, or wait and gain additional complexities. Drink from 2023-2040.

Nicely roasted nose, with hints of espresso and dark berries, still young and closed. Very structured palate, with high concentration and extract but finely tuned, without hard edges. A bit massive and monotone at the moment, but it has all the components to develop well. Impressive length, should become very good.

Matte purple, lightening at the rim. The nose is full of praline, dried fruits and chocolate, medium-dark malt, a veritable bundle of sweetness in any case. Mouth-filling palate, already very creamy with buttery tannins, showing good reserves at its core. Somehow you get the feeling you could already shamelessly drink — pardon, consume — half the batch while thoroughly enjoying it.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with a lilac sheen on the rim. Reserved bouquet, slightly dry, showing red and blue berry fruit. On the palate, medium-bodied with pronounced muscle and demanding astringency. As always, quite robust and angular. It will take a long time to reach its first drinking peak, and will then remain a decant-and-food wine. (18/20). 13: Dull purple, paling at the edge. The nose is full of praline, dried fruits and chocolate, mid-dark malt, in any case an outpouring of sweetness. Mouth-filling palate, already very creamy on the outside with buttery tannins—showing good reserves within. Somehow you feel you could shamelessly knock back half the lot already.

Sweet, opulent, velvety, dense bouquet with jammy notes of black cherry compote, dried fruits, tobacco, chocolate, and mint. Dense, powerful, layered, velvety palate with concentrated fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a rustic, massive structure, and a bold, full, sweet aromatic profile with truffle, black berries, cassis, and dried fruits. Very long, opulent, dense finish with excellent lingering flavors. As the tannins mature, it can gain further complexity. 18/20 2017 - 2040

Deep colour, rich and indulgent wine, generous length, comfortable, volume, alcohol, pleasure.

A dense, tight, elegant wine, with class, plenty of finesse, tannic, long, with a splendid finish. A very fine wine.

Intense color. Fruity, ripe and discreet nose. Precise, tight palate from the outset that develops into a full, yet tannic profile with plenty of flavor mid-palate, savory and complex while also deep. Blend: 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The exuberant fruity side of 2008 gives way to the sun-drenched influence of 2009. Who would deny the smoothing effect of warm vintages on terroirs, at least when the wines are young? Beau-Séjour Bécot coats the palate and ultimately leaves on the finish notes of cassis and eucalyptus, not unlike those found in great Australian reds.

94-96 Barrel sample. A wine that makes the most of its freshness, with bright acidity, great blackcurrant fruits. It has density balanced with a beautiful final acidity and final smokiness.