Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc 2016

Please note these are half bottles or 375 ML. This very old Bordeaux estate is located in a part of Haut-Médoc just south of Saint Julien. Château Beaumont, one of the largest estates in the Médoc, dates back to 1772. Vines were first planted in 1824, and over the years, with new purchases and additional plantings, the vineyard continued expanding until it reached its current size. The château was designed and constructed in 1854. Jumping ahead about 100 years, in the early 1980’s much of the vineyards were replanted before the estate was sold in 1986, Groupe GMF, along with their partner, Suntory, who was already experienced in owning Bordeaux vineyards as they were already the owner of Château Beychevelle, in neighboring St. Julien. Currently, the property is owned by the same partnership group that owns and manages Château Beychevelle, the Castel group, and Suntory, which also co-own Grands Millesimes de France.

The Left Bank vineyard of Chateau Beaumont is planted to 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The large vineyard is 114 hectares, making it one of the largest vineyards that is in one massive block of vines. The terroir is sand and gravel soils. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,666 vines per hectare. The vineyard is farmed using Terra Vitis and Integrated Farming techniques since 2004. The vineyard is mechanically harvested (which is not surprising considering its size). To produce the wine of Chateau Beaumont, vinification takes place in large, temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank. The wine is aged in 30% new, French oak barrels for between 12-14 months before bottling.

Blossoming on the gravel hilltops of the Haut-Médoc, the Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine its structure, the Merlot its smoothness and the Petit Verdot its unique energy. Château Beaumont can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Château Beaumont is usually better with at least 2-3 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Château Beaumont offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-10 years of age after the vintage.