Robert Parker raves:
"This is one of Bordeaux's finest run
over-achievers. Yields in 2008 were a lowly
19 hectoliters per hectare, and the crop was
harvested between October 17-22. The result
is a deep ruby/purple-colored wine with sweet
black cherry, cedar, and spice box notes, a
lush texture, and a fresh, pure style. This
blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and
10% Cabernet Sauvignon is best drunk in its
exuberant youth, but should age nicely for
2-3 years. A sleeper of the vintage." Rated 88-
90. RP
Parker liked this Bordeaux Superieur wine so much that he selected it for inclusion in his book Robert Parker's Wine Bargains: The World's Best Wine Values Under $25. In the book he raves, "...this sensational wine exhibits excellent texture, medium body, and soft tannins and is a beauty to enjoy over 5-6 years."
The container is just in and the last time I
got a delivery of this wine, it was gone in
about three weeks. This is the wine that
everyone is looking for - Bordeaux with incredible
taste
and quality for a price you can pull the cork
on everyday.
Chateau Beaulieu is a Bordeaux Superieur with
a "try-harder" attitude. To be a Bordeaux Superieur
requires conforming to stricter rules of
vinification, but Chateau Beaulieu goes way
farther than that and turns out a wine that
is just as good as many of the Classified
Growths.
The estate is owned by Guillaume de Tastes.
It comprises 25 acres of vineyards in the
Entre-de-Mer which is the large region
between the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers. The
terroir is the ideal combination of limestone
and clay with south-facing sloping exposure.
Guillaume invests a
lot of money in his property, using new oak
(very expensive), green harvesting (passing
extra times through the vineyard to pick off
grapes to increase the concentration of the
remaining grapes and lower the yield), with
the hope that his quality would be recognized
and over time it would pay off.
Well, when Parker gives you the coveted 90 or
over, you know it will pay off and we know
that we had better stock up (most wines in this range
are twice as expensive) before Guillaume
starts collecting on his investment. Maybe
two cases?
As talented as Guillaume may be, when
Stephane Derenoncourt gets involved in a
project, the outcome is certain to be very
positive. You've heard me talk about Stephane
often. He is one of Bordeaux's finest
consultants. He works at Pavie Macquin, and
Larcis Ducasse, and Prieure Lichine to name
just a handful of estates that have been on
fire since his involvement.
I don't ever hesitate to buy from an estate
when I know Stephane has been tending the
grapes. He doesn't try to put his signature
on the wine, but instead works hard to
understand the style of the terroir.
Beaulieu is not a wine that tries to imitate
the old guard Medoc wines with their
formidable tannins and wood, but a wine that
revels in its silky and fleshy fruitiness.
60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10%
Cabernet Franc. 100% GREAT! Cynthia
Hurley
