2021, Château Beausejour Duffau-Lagarosse, SAINT-ÉMILION 1er Grand Cru Classé “B”

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

The vineyard of Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse can be divided into two different terroirs. A large portion of the vines are planted are on the peak of the St. Emilion plateau. The terroir is a mix of clay with serious limestone deposits over a deep bed of limestone. Closest neighbours include Beau-Sejour Becot, Canon, Angelus, and Clos Fourtet.

The 2021 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is impressive. It shows more energy and decidedly linear build relative to the past. It's hard to say how much of that is the vintage and how much is attributable to a stylistic shift under new owner Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse. Either way, the 2021 is a notable success. Savoury herbs, menthol, mocha and iron are laced throughout a core of red/purplish fruit. There is so much to look forward to. 92-95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous

The 2021 Beauséjour (Duffau Lagarrosse) shows considerable promise. Bursting with aromas of inky berry fruit and plums mingled with notions of violets, rose petals and burning embers, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and sensual, with a rich core of fruit, lively acids and beautifully refined tannins, concluding with a long, mineral finish. The first vintage made by Joséphine Duffau Lagarrosse since she took back control of the family estate. 93-95+ William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

You're not going to get the same opulence of the past five years, but this is entirely successful in terms of harmony, elegance and finesse. A jolt of limestone salinity, lemongrass, oyster shell, violets, rose petals, and a subtle but moreish wave of cigar box and graphite smoke. Unrolls slowly but surely, with evident ripeness to the red fruits, and salt-cracker salinity on the finish. Camille Devillenaut co-technical director with Josephine Duffau-Lagarrosse, coming over from Château Villemaurine. Tasted twice. First year with Axel Marchal as consultant, working alongside Michel Rolland (Julien Viaud), replacing the Nicolas Thienpont team. 94 Jane Anson.