Château Beauséjour-Duffau-Lagarrosse 1er grand cru classe (B), St-Emilion

Château Beauséjour-Duffau-Lagarrosse sits on one of Saint-Émilion’s finest limestone terraces, a single 6.8-hectare vineyard that has been classified Premier Grand Cru Classé (B) since 1955. Now led by winemaker Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse and technical director Julien Viaud, the estate has undergone renewed focus in the vineyard and cellar. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats with gentle extraction, followed by ageing in 50–60% new French oak barrels. The result is a wine that combines structure and finesse. Cabernet Franc plays a notable role in the blend, offering lift and complexity to Merlot’s depth. Expect dark cherry, plum and graphite on the nose, with layers of blackcurrant, spice and crushed rock on the palate. Tannins are firm but fine, giving the wine strong ageing potential. Recent vintages have attracted critical attention, placing Beauséjour-Duffau among the most serious names in the appellation for collectors and long-term cellaring.