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Goedhuis, April 2022, Score: 94-96
2021 represents a new era for this spectacular 6-hectare estate, under the direction of Josephine Duffau Lagarosse and her new partners, the Clarins Family. Whilst 2021 wasn’t the year they dreamt of climatically, it shows the quality of their exceptional terroir. A combination of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this is gorgeously exotic. Spiced berry fruits and a touch of kirsch and Morello cherry contribute to a wonderfully polished style. The tannins are fine with a lacy texture but contribute to a structure of restrained tension and backbone. Beautifully long, high-class finish. This wine has presence!
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Neal Martin, April 2022, Score: 92-94
The 2021 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse was picked from September 13 until October 1–2, the Cabernet Franc later, on October 14, starting around 7:00 am. Mildew reduced the Merlot to 28hL/ha, whereas the Cabernet was cropped around 35hL/ha. This was raised in 58% new oak, Joséphine Duffau being prudent with the level of new wood in order to maintain what she describes as a chalky taste. It has a fragrant bouquet of brambly red fruit, dark cherries and subtle undergrowth scents, all delivered up in that judicious use of new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and good density, equal to if not better than others on the limestone plateau, yet still quite mineral-driven, leading into a silky-smooth, cohesive finish. No, not a powerful Saint-Émilion, yet precise and detailed. This represents a great debut, and it should give 15–20 years of pleasure, possibly more. Drink 2028 - 2048
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Antonio Galloni, April 2022, Score: 92-95
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. Savory herbs, menthol, mocha and iron are laced throughout a core of red/purplish fruit. There is so much to look forward to. Drink 2031-2051
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Wine Advocate, April 2022, Score: 93-95+
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, the 2021 is a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc—the highest percentage of Cabernet since the early 2000s (when some Cabernet Sauvignon was included in the blend too).
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Matthew Jukes, April 2022, Score: 18.5
Following the tremendous success of the 2020 vintage, I was excited to taste 2021 Beauséjour and tour the Château for the first time with owner Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse at the helm. Having seen first-hand the chalk cellars under the winery and therefore gaining a perfect perspective on the stunning vineyard and the soils in which her vines are planted, it was not a shock to hear her response to my parting question. I asked what was she most proud of in the 2021 vintage, and she replied, “I love this vintage and the chalky freshness on the finish”. This is a more energetic, lively, and expressive wine than I could have imagined. The authenticity, accuracy, and direct representation of its unique setting, looking down on Angélus and Le Dôme, among others, is truly outstanding. The phenomenal limestone plateau over which Château Beauséjour hovers cannot make anything other than a unique wine, but the thrilling perfume of violet, cherry and plum is as invigorating as it is delicious. The palate is pristine and carefully tuned for maximum tenderness, and the finish is fine-grained and savoury. This wine might win the prize for aromatic transcendence and Merlot textural delicacy because there are few wines that compare to the mesmerising bouquet and silkiness found here. The palate is supple, balletic and minutes long and then, right at the end of the experience, the tannins arrive - energetic, mouth-watering and ravishingly scouring. What a wine.
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Wine Cellar Insider, April 2022, Score: 93-95
Right off the bat you notice all the crushed rocks and stones from the deep limestone terroir before moving on to the oyster shell, espresso, blackberries, black cherries and plums. There is an intense mineral essence that comes through on the palate accentuating the red fruits in the mid-palate. There is tension, with supple-textures, creamy tannins and a sweetness to the fruits in the finish. This is quite successful for the vintage. The wine blends 73% Merlot with 27% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV. The harvest took place September 30 - October 14. Yields were low at only 28 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2025 - 2055.
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Jane Anson, April 2022, Score: 94.0
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. Harvest September 30 to October 10 (able to do so because they got only 10mm of rain at the end of September), 28hl/h yield, 58% new oak. 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.
