Château Beauséjour Duffau Lagarrosse, Grand Cru Classé St Emilion, 2013
Chateau Beauséjour is a wonderful complex terroir capable of producing thrilling wines. The team of Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire made some audacious choices during the growing season. They decided not to trim the vines, which meant that the excess foliage could capture more light. Only 43% of the fruit will be used in the grand vin, which will be produced from 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. At first glance this is brooding and introspective with minerals notes interwoven with dark berry fruit and hints of flowers. With aeration, there is more perfume and the wine begins to sing. There are waves of pure fruit on the palate; it is glossy and modern, but very seductive. Exceptional length and fine cassis tannins. Bravo.
critic reviews
The 2013 Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse has a medium garnet color, with a touch of brick. It comes bounding out with spritely notes of stewed red and black plums, boysenberry preserves, and unsmoked cigars, followed by wafts of dried roses and powdered cinnamon, with a touch of Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate has a good core of expressive, dried red and black berries, supported by chewy tannins and finishing with a mineral lift.
The 2013 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) offers impressive intensity given the growing season with crisp and pure dark cherries, raspberry coulis and subtle earthy bordering upon loamy scents. The oak here is nicely enmeshed and attests some clever winemaking in this challenging season. The palate is well balanced with a little chewiness on the entry. There is admirable weight here, even if I discerned more finesse and precision on the 2013 Pavie-Macquin. Still, this constitutes a sterling effort and it should give 10 to 15 years of pleasure, possibly longer.
(88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc): Bright ruby-red. Pure minty blackcurrant, ink and violet on the perfumed nose. Minerally and vibrant on the palate, with steely, fresh blackcurrant and gunflint flavors complicated by aromatic herbs. Finishes long, pure and juicy, with ripe if youthfully chewy tannins that coat the palate at the back. Though this vintage of BDL sports its proverbial elegance and refinement, it strikes me as slightly less successful than its stablemate Pavie-Macquin (both properties are managed by Nicholas Thienpont and his team) due to slightly tougher tannins. Still, this is a potentially outstanding wine.