Chateau Beausejour

Small and family-run, Château Beauséjour has earned its strong reputation thanks to the concerted efforts it’s made in recent times to boost the estate’s potential. Under Joséphine's management, the estate is creating a fresher and more elegant expression of the property's mineral-based terroir – predominantly clay with abundant limestone deposits – with a greater proportion of Cabernet Franc in the blend. Vinification is carried out on an intra-parcellar basis, which allows for greater precision during winemaking, with soft and controlled pump-overs.

These changes have resulted in extremely well-received vintages that have placed the estate at the forefront of Bordeaux's new guard – as evidenced by remarkable critic appraisal – into industry-wide recognition.

In the ten vintages prior to 2009’s shakeup in management, critic Robert Parker gave a mean score of 89.3. In the four since, this figure has skyrocketed to an average 96.75, with 2009 and 2010’s offerings scoring a perfect 100 points each.

These strong reviews are the result of operational changes enforced only relatively recently. As they really start to bed down we can expect consistent success from this estate, which is well on its way to Bordeaux stardom.

Situated on the western outskirts of Saint-Emilion, Château Beauséjour, known until recently as Château Béausejour héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse, has a storied history dating back to when it was a single property owned by Charles Troquart in the mid-1800s. Troquart bequeathed the estate to his cousin Pierre-Paulin Ducarpe, who, in 1867, divided it between his two children. The larger part became Château Beauséjour-Bécot, while the smaller was left to Ducarpe’s daughter Madeleine, who, after marriage, became Madeleine Duffau-Lagarrosse.

The estate has been owned by the namesake Duffau-Lagarrosse family since 1847, with its shareholders comprising 30 different family members. In 2020, the estate was put on the market, igniting an intense bidding war. To keep the estate within the family, Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse, a ninth-generation shareholder and young vintner, teamed up with Prisca Courtin, CEO of the Clarins family office and great-granddaughter of its founder, Jacques Clarins, for a joint acquisition in 2021. Today, Joséphine and Prisca serve as the dynamic co-directors of the estate.

Now one of the 13 Premier Grand Cru Classes in the Saint-Emilion appellation, the small 6.8-hectare estate has always been respected, especially after the legendary 1990 Beauséjour vintage that significantly raised its profile.

Under the new leadership of Joséphine and Prisca, the estate has seen significant changes. They have brought on consultants Axel Marchal and Julien Viaud, and continue working alongside the husband-and-wife viticulture team of Christophe and Izilda Chanloup, who have been with the estate for nearly 30 years. This synergetic team is dedicated to harnessing the potential of the exceptional terroir, reflecting Joséphine’s desire to “make wines like her grandparents did” - aiming for an elegant and fresh expression of the château’s distinctive terroir.

The estate’s identity has evolved, starting with the dropping of “héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse” from its name in 2023 to signify a new era. A new label, debuting on the 2021 bottle release, features Joséphine’s name and includes a serial number to ensure authenticity. The logo has been modernized and is now centred inside an oval shape, symbolizing a precious, secret haven viewed through an open window. Future releases will be delivered in three-bottle wooden cases engraved with the team’s personal account of the year, reflecting the limited production and the unique story of each vintage.

This new chapter for Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse, led by Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse and Prisca Courtin, marks a return to its roots while embracing modernity and a fresh vision for the future, promising an exciting evolution for this esteemed estate.