Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

Key characteristics:

Château Joanin Bécot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is a testament to the potential of its unique clay-limestone terroir, offering exceptional quality and value from the Côtes de Castillon region. Acquired by the renowned Bécot family, also proprietors of Saint-Émilion’s prestigious Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, this wine embodies a philosophy of meticulous vineyard management, treating the vines with the care of a beautiful garden. It reveals itself as a gourmet wine, distinguished by its inherent roundness, sweetness, and a structure of fine, velvety, and elegant tannins.

Tasting Notes:

• Variety: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
• Appearance: Dense purple in the glass, evolving towards garnet on the edges, indicative of its graceful age.
• Aroma: A seductive bouquet of red and black fruits with a vibrant freshness, complemented by enticing hints of mulberry, blueberry, black currant, and blackberry. Underlying notes of licorice, loam, and blackberry jam add complexity.
• Taste: A truly gourmet experience on the palate, offering abundant roundness and a delightful sweetness. The tannins are remarkably fine, velvety, and elegantly integrated, contributing to a harmonious blend of power and finesse with a well-balanced acidity.
• Region: Hailing from the Côtes de Castillon, situated just east of Saint-Émilion, this appellation boasts clay and limestone soils akin to some of Saint-Émilion’s finest terroirs. The vineyards are positioned at some of the highest elevations along the Gironde, contributing to wines known for their rich, distinct aromas and excellent aging potential.
• Pairing: An ideal companion for grilled red meats, robust hard cheeses such as Vieux Comté, and decadent desserts featuring dark chocolate. It also pairs beautifully with Asian dishes, rich fish like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Overall impression:

Château Joanin Bécot consistently delivers ample charm, vibrant freshness, and ripe fruit flavors, all encased in a soft, approachable texture. It presents a harmonious balance of power and finesse, culminating in a velvety mouthfeel and sustained by a well-integrated acidity that promises both immediate enjoyment and intriguing aging potential.

Extra notes:

• The Côtes de Castillon appellation, established in 1989, became part of the broader Côtes de Bordeaux appellation in 2008, recognized for producing high-quality wines.
• The winemaking process at Château Joanin Bécot is meticulous, involving manual harvesting, a rigorous three-stage grape sorting, cold pre-fermentation maceration, and aging in a combination of new French oak barrels, foudres, and amphorae, highlighting a dedication to quality.
• This wine has garnered critical acclaim, with scores such as 92 points from Decanter and 92 points from Wine Spectator.