1996 Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The 1996 Beau-Séjour Bécot was picked between 30 September and 8 October. Now this is much more enticing on the nose compared to the 1995 because it is unequivocally more vibrant and energetic with perfumed red berry fruit laced with crushed violets, cola and just a hint of sage. The palate is medium-bodied with quite sturdy tannin, more body than the 1995 but now just showing a touch of dryness towards the finish. I suspect that this was better a few years ago, but I appreciate the spicy aftertaste here. Tasted at the château.

The lavishly-oaked, hedonistically-styled 1996 exhibits a dark plum/purple color. The nose offers up sweet jammy fruit (primarily black currants and cherries) intermixed with toasty new oak. Medium-bodied, with excellent, nearly outstanding richness, a nicely-layered mid-palate, and sweet tannin in the long finish, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age, and should last for 15+ years.

Very purple. Oak. Tight. Still too oaky! (JR)