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Château Béchereau is a family business for several generations. The family’s 24 hectares of vineyards are in three appellations of Bordeaux’s "right bank". They have vineyards in the satellite areas of Lalande de Pomerol and Montagne Saint-Émilion, as well as Bordeaux Supérieur.
Lalande Pomerol is an AOC and is just a few minutes’ drive from legendary names such as Château Petrus, Château Lafleur, Château L’Evangile, & Château le Pin. It has a rich soil of clay, limestone and iron which gives the wines depth, creating a lush and full mouthfeel with good ageing potential. Château Béchereau has 5 hectares in Lalande Pomerol close to the village of Néac.
Montagne Saint-Émilion is also an AOC since 1936. It is the largest satellite area of Saint-Émilion. The topography consists of mostly rolling hills. Soils are homogenous for the area, with clay and limestone. The terroir here is regarded as closely resembling that of Saint-Émilion, being separated only by a small river, La Barbanne. This may partly explain why the appellation has a reputation for producing some of the best wines from the Saint-Émilion satellites. Château Béchereau has nearly 11 hectares in Montagne Saint-Émilion.
Bordeaux Supérieur offer a superior version of Bordeaux AOC wines. Wines produced with Bordeaux Supérieur on the label, have been produced in a specific way to increase their quality. For instance, the use of older vines, required ripeness of fruit and natural sugar levels, lower yields and minimum ageing before bottling. The wines tend to be easy drinking in style with a lovely fruit forward style. Chateau Béchereau has 9 hectares classified as Bordeaux Supérieur.
The climate in Bordeaux is temperate continental, with warm summers and cold winters. Climate change is having a pronounced affect, with more extremes in weather.
The main variety grown is Merlot which represents almost 85% of grape production, plus 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc found primarily on designations Mountain St. Emilion and Lalande de Pomerol.
Joel Dupas is the dynamic winemaker force behind Chateau Béchereau. Joel has overseen a significant investment in winery and vineyards. Working closely with Michael Laizet from Michel Rolland’s oeologhy laboratory(who advise many of the 1er Cru Bordeaux Chateau) they carefully cultivate and monitor the vines. Many of their vineyards have vines of 40 years old, and there is an ongoing process of re-planting and developing varietals which we common to Bordeaux, such as Malbec.
Joel’s cellar is set up to vinify small parcels of wines thereby allowing him to produce wines specific to a vineyard plot or area.
He uses only natural yeast for the first fermentation and for the malolactic fermentation. The grapes are sent to the tanks with out being pressed and then ferment in the tanks. Joel uses the traditional method of Pigeage manually, which is the process of breaking up the cap and submerging it into the wine must. Overtime, this allows maximum contact between the skins and pips with the liquid giving maximum flavour.
Joel’s cellar is set up to vinify small parcels of wines thereby allowing him to produce wines specific to a vineyard plot or area. As he uses gravity and manual Pigeage, he has reduced significantly the amount of water and electricity in the winery. Also the winery is housed in an old cellar, where the natural temperature is cold enough to allow the wines ferment naturally.
All Chateau Béchereau wines are Vegan.
The Wine
1. Château Bechereau LaLande Pomerol Cuvee AOC
Lalande Pomerol is an AOC and is just a few minutes’ drive north from Pomerol, the home of legendary names such as Château Petrus, Chateau Lafleur, Chateau L’Evangile, & Chateau le Pin. It has a rich soil of clay, limestone and iron which gives the wines depth, creating a lush and full mouthfeel with good ageing potential. Château Béchereau has five hectares in Lalande Pomerol around the village of Néac. Gravel soils are a distinctive feature of the vineyards in vineyards of Néac. Merlot grows more successfully on this type of soil. Therefore, it is here that the better Lalande-de-Pomerol wines are produced.
A significant part of Chateau Béchereau Lalande Pomerol Cuvee is vinified in barrels, with the rest vinified in steel Vats. It is a blend of Merlot predominately with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each grape variety is vinified separately. Ageing for 12 months in French oak barrels adds to the complexity of the wine. The aging is entirely carried out in new, once, and twice used barrels. The philosophy is to seek the best balances between the wood ageing and the wine, so as not to obscure the aromatic characteristics of the product.
Type: Red Wine
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Quality: AOC Lalande Pomerol
Primary Grape: Merlot
Secondary Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bottle Size: 75cl.
Vintage: 2019
Suitable for Vegans
Flavours :
Tasting Note
Beautiful colour –deep red with brown tinge. The aromas with hints of toasted vanilla, and dark ripe fruits. Hints of minerality. On the palate notes of intense dark berries, vanilla and chocolate. Powerful, rich and generous. Elegant with silky smooth tannins.
Pairing
Roast Red Meats (Beef / Lamb) or Strong Cheese.
Tasting with Joel - LaLande Pomerol
2. Château Bechereau Bordeaux Supérieur Cuvee AOC
Bordeaux Supérieur offer a superior version of Bordeaux AOC wines. Wines produced the with Bordeaux Supérieur label, have been produced in a specific way to increase their quality. For instance, the use of older vines, required ripeness of fruit and natural sugar levels, lower yields and minimum ageing before bottling. The wines tend to be easy drinking with a lovely fruit forward style. Château Béchereau has 10 hectares classified as Bordeaux Supérieur.
Château Béchereau makes a special Cuvee from each of its Terroir. The Cuvee special is made from the best fruit parcels, because they can develop with barrel ageing, rather than be overpowered. The grapes are fermented in steel tanks, and then aged in French oak barrels for up to 12 months. The Bordeaux Supérieur of Château Béchereau is produced on gravelly clay soils and is made from a blend of Bordeaux classic grapes. It is predominantly Merlot which gives the luscious red berry fruit, with Cabernet Sauvignon the supporting character. Each varietal is vinified and aged separately. They are then blended and bottled.
Flavours :
Type: Red Wine
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Quality: Bordeaux Supérieur.
Primary Grape: Merlot
Secondary Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bottle Size: 75cl.
Vintage :2020
Suitable for Vegans
Tasting Note
Dark red, almost plummy. Aroma of black fruits – blackberries, plums with hints of vanilla. The palate has lovely red bright fruits with light tannins. A nice balance between power and elegance. Dry with long finish.
Pairing
White Meats (Chicken / Pork), Lamb, or Soft cheese.
Tasting with Joel - Bordeaux Supérieur
3. Château Bechereau Montagne Saint-Émilion Cuvee AOC
Montagne Saint-Émilion is an AOC since 1936. It is the largest satellite area of St Émilion. The topography consists of mostly rolling hills. Soils are homogenous for the area, mostly clay and limestone. The terroir here is regarded as closely resembling that of Saint-Émilion, being separated only by a small river, La Barbanne. This may partly explain why the appellation has a reputation for producing some of the best wines from the Saint-Émilion satellites. Château Béchereau have nearly 11 hectares on Montagne Saint-Émilion.
Château Béchereau makes a special Cuvée from each of its Terroir. The Cuvée special is made from the best fruit parcels, because they can develop with barrel ageing, rather than be overpowered. The grapes are fermented in steel tanks, and then aged in French oak barrels for up to 12 months. The Montagne Saint-Émilion Cuvée is predominantly Merlot which gives the luscious red berry fruit, with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon as supporting characters. Each varietal is vinified and aged separately. They are then blended and bottled.
Type: Red Wine
Country of Origin: France
Region: Bordeaux
Quality: AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion
Primary Grapes: Merlot
Secondary Grapes: Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottle Size: 75cl.
Vintage: 2019
Suitable for Vegans
Flavours :
Tasting Note
Dark red colour. On the nose dark read fruits, with hints of mocha, vanilla and spice. Aroma is complex and deep. Lovely dark fruits -blackcurrant and plum fruits, with hints of liquorice. Tannins are young and lively. Nice long finish.
Pairing
Roast Lamb, Beef or Hard Cheese.
