Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarosse

History of Château Beauséjour

Château Beauséjour dates back to a period of great importance for the Bordeaux vineyard, between the 11th and 12th centuries, when the church of Saint-Martin de Mazerat cast its shadow over the estate. However, it was in the 15th century that the first written records of vines on this limestone plateau appeared. For centuries, this estate has benefited from meticulous attention, preserving a unique terroir and producing wines that stand out for their quality and longevity.

The Duffau-Lagarrosse family left its mark on the estate's history, carefully managing it for nearly 170 years. Their excellent work allowed Château Beauséjour to be recognised as early as 1955 as a Premier Grand Cru Classé B when the Saint-Émilion classification was created. One of the most remarkable moments of this dynasty is undoubtedly the 1990 vintage, made by Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse, which received exceptional awards.

In 2021, a new chapter began for Beauséjour with the purchase of the estate by the Courtin family, owners of the Clarins group, in partnership with Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse, a member of the ninth generation of the founding family. This partnership allows the family legacy to be perpetuated whilst bringing a modern and sustainable vision to the estate's wine production.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Beauséjour

Château Beauséjour rests on an exceptional terroir, at the heart of the best soils in Saint-Émilion. The estate covers just under 8 hectares, of which nearly 7 are planted with vines. Three distinct soil types characterise this single-block vineyard:

The asteriated limestone plateau: Located at the highest point of the estate, this demanding soil pushes the vine to drive its roots deep, giving the wines incredible minerality and a robust structure.

The Fronsac molasse slopes: These finer, richer clay soils are rare in the region and bring elegance and finesse to the wines produced on these plots.

The ancient colluvial soils: Composed of sand and clay from degraded marl, these soils located in the lower areas of the estate add a touch of roundness and suppleness to the wines.

The vineyard's grape varieties are mainly Merlot (75%), which is perfectly adapted to the estate's climate and soils, accompanied by Cabernet Franc (25%), whose proportion is increasing to meet the challenges of climate change. The average age of the vines is 40 to 50 years, ensuring a root depth that plays a crucial role in water regulation, a feature that is widely envied in the wine world.

Vinification at Château Beauséjour

At Château Beauséjour, each step of the vinification process is carried out with particular care to respect the expression of each plot of the estate. Everything begins in the vineyards, where teams make between 35 and 45 passes in front of each vine before harvest to ensure perfect grape maturation.

Once harvested, the grapes are meticulously sorted, then destemmed to be vinified according to the specificities of each vintage. The estate now uses a vat room adapted to the parcels, allowing precise and customised fermentation for each soil type. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels, bringing roundness and complexity to the wines.

Ageing, a crucial step in refining the wines, is carried out in French oak barrels, with 50% of the barrels renewed each year. The wine then rests for 16 to 18 months in these barrels before continuing its ageing in the château's monolithic cellars, carved directly into the limestone. These natural cellars offer ideal conditions for ageing: total darkness, constant temperature, and perfect humidity. This process allows Beauséjour wines to develop all their depth and complexity.

The cuvées of Château Beauséjour

The estate offers two main cuvées that reflect the excellence and diversity of the terroir:

Château Beauséjour - Premier Grand Cru Classé B

This is the estate's flagship cuvée, produced from the best plots. It embodies the richness of the terroir and the château's historical expertise. This wine is characterised by its depth, aromatic intensity, and impressive ageing potential. It features aromas of ripe black fruits, liquorice, truffle, with mineral notes typical of limestone soils. On the palate, it combines power, elegance, and freshness, offering a unique tasting experience.

Croix de Beauséjour - Grand Cru Classé

The estate's second wine, Croix de Beauséjour is crafted with the same exacting standards as its elder sibling. This cuvée allows enthusiasts to discover the estate's expertise through a more accessible wine, whilst retaining the expression of the terroir. The grapes come exclusively from the château's vineyard, and the care given to vinification and ageing is identical. This wine charms with its finesse, fruity aromas, and well-balanced structure.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced vintages of exceptional quality over the years, delighting connoisseurs of fine wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputable reference. The following decades were equally impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate fine wine enthusiasts with its consistent quality and elegance.

The classification of Saint-Émilion's Premiers Grands Crus Classés B, reviewed every 10 years, highlights exceptional châteaux from the Right Bank vineyard. Among those that continue to feature in this prestigious category are emblematic names such as Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong-Mondot, Château Trottevieille, and Clos Fourtet. Others, promoted in 2012, such as Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, Château Larcis-Ducasse, Château La Mondotte, and Château Valandraud, also illustrate the ever-increasing quality of the region's growths. However, some châteaux are no longer classified, such as La Gaffelière (since 2022) and Magdelaine (since 2006). This constant renewal ensures the excellence and evolution of the Saint-Émilion vineyard, where tradition and innovation blend harmoniously.

Château Beauséjour is one of Saint-Émilion's jewels, recognised for the exceptional quality of its wines and its unique terroir. For centuries, this estate has been committed to perpetuating a tradition of excellence, whilst renewing itself to meet future challenges. Thanks to the commitment of Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse and the Courtin group, Château Beauséjour continues to shine among the greatest names in Bordeaux. Whether you are a discerning collector or an enthusiast of wines with character, Beauséjour's cuvées will offer you an unforgettable tasting experience.