Alcohol: 13%
Grape(s): 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc
Location: Cotes De Castillon, Bordeaux, France
Tasting Notes: This packs in quite a few layers of dark plum, fig and boysenberry fruit, without getting heady, thanks to a very racy graphite edge. The finish is long and fresh, bringing you back for more.
Notes: Manual harvest with 3 stages of sorting (2 sortings before destemming, 1 after). Vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats. Parcel selection, manual punching of the cap. Vatting for around 40 days. Malolactic fermentation in vats. Aged in barrels (50% new, 10% second-fill barrels), vats (19%), amphorae (15%) and tuns (6%).
Food pairing: Pairs beautifully with a variety of rich and savory dishes. Its bold structure and ripe fruit notes complement grilled lamb chops or roast leg of lamb, beef tenderloin or steak au poivre, duck breast with berry reduction, and roast chicken seasoned with herbs and garlic. For heartier fare, it’s a natural match with mushroom risotto, beef bourguignon, pasta with wild boar ragu, and shepherd’s pie. The wine also harmonizes with cheeses like aged Gouda, Comté, Brie de Meaux, and even blue cheese, which contrasts nicely with its fruitiness. If you're feeling indulgent, finish with dark chocolate truffles or a slice of black forest cake to round out the experience.
Winery Story: Château Joanin Bécot is a winery in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, east of Saint-Émilion, that was purchased in February 2001 by the Bécot family. The family was already known for owning Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, a Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion. Juliette Bécot, the owner and winemaker, manages the technical side of the estate. She considers the vineyard a "beautiful garden" and treats her grapes carefully.
The winery is located at one of the highest elevations along the Gironde river and its soil is characterized by clay and limestone. The vineyards cover approximately 12.6 hectares and are primarily planted with Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Franc (25%). Some of the vines date back to as far as 1870.
The Bécot family has made a number of changes to the property since acquiring it, including increasing the vineyard size and installing new cellars in 2002. They also began using a new label in 2010.
