13 abv, Héritiers Castéja, Saint-Estèphe, imported by United Wine & Spirits, Houston, TX. Cork closure: natural. Biodynamic calendar: fruit day.

“Beautiful site”, the Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois, as legend has it, was not submitted to the 1855 classification because the then owner was already behind on his tax bills. Whether the legend is true or not, the property does claim a well exposed hill in the Médoc with stony soils. A stones throw from Château Calon Ségur, the château lies on one of Médoc’s highest points and has a fantastic view over the Gironde River. Located outside the village of St. Corbian, which is at the northern extremity of the St. Estèphe appellation, Beau-Site’s nearly 86 acres (35 hectares) of vines have an average age of 35 years, and the plantings are comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The soil type is a mixture of gravel, clay and sand, and the climate is affected by the nearby Gironde, providing a more temperate growing season.

Beau-Site has been in the capable hands of experienced family-owned wine company, Borie-Manoux, since 1955. After manual harvesting, the wine is vinified traditionally and then matured in oak casks (50% new) for 12-15 months. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.

Tasting note: Deep ruby in color, the 2014 Beau-Site has a pronounced nose with notes of cedar, vanilla, black currant, black plum, eucalyptus and menthol.  Structurally, this wine is dry with medium acid, medium+ tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, medium+ flavor intensity and medium+ finish with flavors of black currant, black mulberry, cedar, wood spice, Mexican vanilla, caramel, tomato leaf, capsicum, and mild tobacco. Unfortunately, the balance was a bit clunky, and the finish a tad shorter than I’d hoped for a wine of this stature, but it had some lovely intensity of aroma and flavor and enough compelexity to keep me well interested. Drink now or through 2033. This wine is very good 9.0/10.