Château Haut de la Bécade Pauillac
WHY WE LOVE IT
- With Chateau Haut de Bécade, it is all about location – This property sits smack dab in the middle of 7 classified growths. Look north you’ll see Lynch Bages, Mouton Rothschild, d’Armailhac, and Pontet Canet…look South and you’ll see Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande de Comtesse, and Latour!
- The vineyard is situated at the top of a hill 11 meters above sea level (highest point in Pauillac).
- Over 35 year old vines.
Varietal Composition: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Elaboration: Hand harvested. Fermentation for 3 weeks at a temperature of 28-30° C. 18-20 months in French Oak.
Tasting Notes: Displays classic Pauillac aromas of lovely cassis and gravelly stone. Dark violet in color expressing a youthful hue. The medium acidity reflects its ability to continue to age with a backbone. This medium to full-bodied wine shows good clay and mineral-granite character along the length of the palate; while being encased in red currant and violet essence. This wine will continue to get better over the next 10 years.
PRESS
2021 – 90 James Suckling
2020 – 95 Decanter (WWA-World Wine Awards)
2015 – 90 Wine Enthusiast | 1 Star in Guide Hachette
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Chateau Haut de la Bécade has been owned by the Rainaud family since the 1930’s, over seven generations. This 8-hectare estate benefits from a magnificent terroir of gravelly soil located at the heart of the locality Bages, just south of Pauillac.
La Bécade’s vineyards are contiguous to 7 Grands Crus Classés—an exceptional situation which makes it a rare, and thus very sought-after, Pauillac wine.