2025 Château Joanin Bécot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

EXCLUSIVE OFFER - AVAILABLE SPRING 2028

Winery

Château Joanin Bécot is owned by Juliette Bécot, daughter of the family behind the renowned Château Beau-Séjour Bécot in Saint-Émilion. The estate is located in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux and benefits from the same calcareous soil structures that characterize parts of Saint-Émilion. Under the guidance of oenologist Thomas Duclos, Joanin Bécot has developed into one of the references of the appellation. The wines combine accessibility with remarkable depth and are increasingly cited as offering some of the best value for money on the Right Bank. You can find more information about this winery in the Winery tab.

Origin and terroir

The vineyards are located near Saint-Philippe d'Aiguille in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, just a few kilometers from Saint-Émilion. The estate covers over 12 hectares and features clay-limestone soils strongly reminiscent of the famous terroirs of the neighboring appellation. The combination of limestone and clay ensures excellent water retention, allowing the vines to maintain freshness even during hot summers. This terroir gives the wine its characteristic tension, minerality, and refined structure.

Grapes and vineyard management

The 2025 consists of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The average age of the vines is approximately 40 years. The yield remained limited to 39 hectoliters per hectare. Much manual labor is performed in the vineyard, including debugging, foliage management, and careful bunch selection. The grapes are harvested by hand and rigorously selected. Additionally, the estate possesses a small plot with pre-phylloxera vines, a rarity in Bordeaux that adds extra character to the whole.

Vinification and aging

After the harvest, the grapes are vinified separately in small, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Thanks to the limited volume of these vats, each plot can be processed individually. Fermentation and maceration last approximately forty days, ensuring a deep extraction of color, aromas, and refined tannins. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks before the blend is assembled. Subsequently, the wine ages partly in French oak barrels, partly in large wooden foudres, and partly in amphorae. During this aging process, sur lie aging contributes to added texture, complexity, and depth.

Color, smell and taste

The wine opens with an expressive nose of black cherries, cassis, darkcurrants, and plums. Additionally, there are floral notes of iris, lilac, lavender, and dried flowers. Further complexity comes from nuances of graphite, mint, pepper, leather, and subtle spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with a strikingly velvety texture. The fruit is rich and concentrated, while fresh acidity and chalky minerality provide tension. The tannins are refined and polished. The finish is long, juicy, and noticeably saline, with a beautiful combination of ripe fruit and minerality.

Style and character

The 2025 Joanin Bécot is among the most complete wines the estate has produced to date. The wine combines the charm and accessibility of Merlot with the freshness and aromatic tension of Cabernet Franc. Despite its rich fruit expression, the wine remains energetic and refined. The chalky subsoil ensures striking precision, while the clay soils provide extra depth and texture. This is a wine that rises far above its appellation.

Volume

The 2025 vintage brought ideal conditions for the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Warm and dry conditions alternated with sufficient rainfall to keep ripening in balance. The grapes were harvested between September 14 and 19 and achieved excellent phenolic ripeness without loss of freshness. With an alcohol content of 14%, the wine displays both concentration and elegance. The combination of ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and refined tannins makes this one of the most successful Joanin Bécot vintages to date.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs excellently with lamb, grilled sirloin, duck breast, and veal. Dishes with mushrooms, truffles, or spicy sauces also complement the wine's aromatic character beautifully. Furthermore, thanks to its fresh structure and refined tannins, it remains elegant alongside poultry and aged hard cheeses.

Wine & Food Pairing and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.