1989 Château Beau-Séjour Bécot Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, FranceABOUT THIS WINE First growth Bordeaux, bottled at Chateau. Exceptional vintage. Details: 1er Grand Cru Class B, Saint Emillion, 16. 52ha, chalk fossilsVineyards: Merlot Noir 70%, Cabernet Franc 24%, Cabernet Sauvignon 6% ABOUT THIS PRODUCER: Wine has been made on the estates prestigious plateau soils as far back as the Middle Ages, when local monks cultivated the vines. During the 17th century, the land was owned by the Gers family, and later their

vineyard owners since 1207

managed without harsh synthetic chemicals

producing the first vintage under that name in 1892

When Jean Dutraive purchased the Domaine de la Grand’Cour in 1969

There are no fancy techniques

But palates were moving towards more fruit-driven wines that could be consumed shortly after bottling

Hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in 95% in stainless steel and 5% in wood

Tokaji aszú wines were so well regarded throughout the Courts of Europe that Prince Rákóczi insisted on a classification of the finest vineyards around the 28 villages in the region into: Great First Growths

and the wines are differentiated according to vineyard origin rather than the length of time spent in the barrel

have become a second family to him

Saint-Emillion

Chardonnay yields average around 48 hl/ha