2021 Château Joanin Bécot, Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux

Merlot 85%, Cabernet Franc 15%

Juliette Bécot’s distinctive style at her St Emilion property works well here in Castillon. The appellation’s sometimes slightly rugged edge is smoothed and loosened to an expressive and generous wine with sufficient dimension to make this very rewarding. No SO2 is used before a 10-day cold soak, followed by an ultra-gentle infusion and short extraction. Ageing is in various vessels, including 15% in amphorae and 6% in 20-hectolitre casks. Wonderful blueberry and tobacco notes run through the wine; the finish is correctly assertive and crunchy. Drink 2025-2035.

Our score: 16/20

Berry Bros. & Rudd, April 2022