Chateau Beausejour Web

2018 Château Beauséjour

By Chateau Beausejour

2018 Beausejour Duffau-Lagarosse from Chateau Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

In the ethereal echelons of Saint-Émilion's Grand Cru Classé, one name that evokes a legacy of terroir-driven excellence is Chateau Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse. The 2018 vintage emerges as a luminary beacon within their illustrious lineage, offering a fascinating glimpse into the alchemy between vine and vigneron in a year that was marked by climatic generosity.

 

The Symphony of 2018: A Year of Climatic Graces

The elements of 2018 coalesced with serendipitous precision to bestow upon the Bordeaux region a growing season that, after an initial battle against early spring moisture, blossomed into an idyllic chapter of ample sunshine and perfectly timed rainfall. This conjunction led to grapes that reached their phenolic maturation with laudable balance—yielding a wine resplendent with harmoniously integrated flavours.

 

A Tapestry of Taste: Unraveling the 2018 Vintage

The 2018 Beausejour Duffau-Lagarosse encapsulates the eloquence of the vintage's optimal conditions. It paints a compelling tableau with vibrant strokes of blackberry, cherry compote, and subtle wafts of violet—a testament to its Merlot dominance—while judicious oak usage imparts whispers of warm spice and toasted cigar box nuances.

Fulfilling its promise on the palate, this wine parades an admirable structure, with tannins that escort rather than overwhelm, allowing the luscious fruit to convey its narrative. Complex undercurrents of earthy minerality and a finish that insists on being remembered further augment the experience.

 

Wine Investment Epitomised: The 2018 Vintage Advantage

For the astute wine investor, the 2018 vintage from Chateau Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse embodies not just immediate sumptuous delight but the potential for prodigious ageing under proper cellarage. Its canvas, while immediately impressive for its vivacious fruit purity, also underpins a structure poised for exquisite evolution.

In conclusion, among the constellation of fine wines worthy of a connoisseur's portfolio, the 2018 Beausejour Duffau-Lagarosse stands proud—a celestial vintage reflecting an extraordinary year in Bordeaux. This offering graces us with its presence now but promises much for those patient enough to witness its unfolding over time.

Market price (CAD)

$1,720.00

12x75cl

Highest score

99

POP score

54.21

Scores and tasting notes

99-100

A muscular and powerful young wine with incredible depth and power. Full-bodied, layered and dense. Flexes its muscle with every sip, yet there’s agility and precision to it at the same time. Blueberries, salt, white pepper and stone. Purple fruit. Amazing depth.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com - April 2019

99

Nicolas Thienpont has been director here for 10 years now, and the changes that he has brought have had a stunning and important effect, firmly placing this as one of the best estates in the appellation. Everything feels a little deeper and darker than its sibling Pavie Macquin in this vintage: the tannins are a little less pliant and a little more serious. This is clearly going to age well - you can feel the scrape of the limestone, the concentration of the cassis and tight tobacco flavours, the lift of the spices through the finish, and the tannic mass that's undeniable. 2018 saw half the normal yield, down in the mid-20hl/ha, and you can't miss the concentration it lends to the wine. The vines come from the slopes with clay over limestone, and with such natural power allied to these low yields I am sure this will take a full 10 years to become drinkable, but watch it really come into its own in 40 or 50 years! 98-100 points.

Jane Anson - Decanter - April 2019

97

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Beausejour Heritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse comes prancing out of the glass with the most gorgeous perfume of plum preserves, kirsch, redcurrant jelly and red roses, followed by suggestions of molten licorice, raspberry leaves, oolong tea and iron ore, with a waft of forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with black and red berry preserves layers, framed by fantastically plush tannins and a seamless backbone, finishing long and earthy. A wine of impeccable poise and polish, it is delicious now, but allow it 3-4 years in bottle to really fan its feathers and drink it over the next 20 years or more.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 2021

95-98

Showy, with boysenberry and plum flavors liberally laced with red licorice notes. The fruit is flamboyant, but this reveals honest grip and solid energy through the finish.—J.M.

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - April 2019

95-97+

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Beausejour Heritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is just a little reduced at this nascent juncture, opening to reveal decadent black plum preserves, blueberry compote and spice cake scents with hints of mincemeat pie, dried roses, star anise and cardamom plus a waft of charcuterie. Full-bodied, rich and densely laden with layers of black fruit and savory nuances, it has a rock-solid structure of firm, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with mineral sparks.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 23rd April 2019

94-97

The 2018 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is a fascinating wine, as it is quite a departure from recent vintages. In 2018, the Beauséjour is distinctly perfumed and floral, with a dense core of red fruit and a brighter profile than the darker personality that is usually such a signature of this cru. Although quite dense on the palate, the 2018 also has so much richness in its fruit that the typically austere tannins are pretty much buried. Rose petal, mint, blood orange and spice add nuance in a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures that is dazzling. It is an especially refined Beauséjour. This is a tremendous showing from estate manger Nicolas Thienpont, consulting winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt and their team. Tasted three times.

Antonio Galloni - Vinous - April 2019

Vintage performance