Joanin Bécot - Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 2018

Wine Advocate

92

byYohan Castaingthe4/13/2023

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Joanin Bécot exhibits delicate aromas of blueberries, flowers and violets with touches of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it’s a lively, rather delicate wine with a fleshy core of fruit and a crystalline texture overlaid with a fresh, penetrating finish that has racy acidity. The wine will offer a broad tasting window.

Vinous

90

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Joanin Bécot is a very pretty wine marked by strong Cabernet Franc aromatics. Crushed red berry, mint, raspberry, sage and dried flowers all grace a mid-weight, silky Côtes de Castillon that is more about savory nuance than power. Drink it over the next decade or so.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

Emerging from the team of Beau-Séjour Bécot, the 2018 Château Joanin Bécot is based on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc coming from the limestone soils of the Côtes de Castillon region. Lots of black cherry and redcurrant fruit as well as leafy herbs, dried flowers, chalky minerality, and camphor emerge on the nose. This carries to a medium-bodied, seamless 2018 with terrific overall balance, ripe yet present tannins, and outstanding length on the finish. Tasting like a topflight Saint-Emilion, it will benefit from a year or so in the cellar and impress for at least a decade. Readers looking for a brilliant Right Bank wine to put in the cellar should jump on this beauty.

Vinous

89

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Joanin Bécot has retained the earthy, cedar-tinged bouquet that takes a few swirls of the glass to emerge. There is crisp black fruit here, pine fresh. The medium-bodied palate delivers fine grip on the entry and dusky black fruit mixed with tobacco and sage. Almost Left Bank in style toward the graphite-tinged finish. This is fine Joanin that should drink well for 8–10 years.

Jamessuckling.com

92

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2021

A very pretty, subtle red with berry, meat and chocolate aromas that follow through to a medium body with round, creamy tannins and a delicious finish. 30% amphora. Very fine and drinkable now.

Wine Spectator

88

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

A fresh and pure style, with a gentle kiss of tobacco leaf sitting atop black cherry and dark plum purée flavors. A dash of cedar holds the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2023. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,750 cases made. –JM

Yvesbeck.wine

90

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Rouge grenat aux légers reflets violets. Beaucoup de fraîcheur et de fruit dans ce bouquet. Notes terreuses, minérales suivies de nuances de baies rouges. En bouche le vin présente une attaque fruitée et juteuse. Il est parfaitement équilibré, élégant et prêt à être savouré, tout en disposant d'un bon potentiel de garde.

Decanter.com

92

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

Vinous

87-89

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Joanin Bécot offers cranberry, raspberry and crushed strawberry aromas mixed with incense and a touch of lavender. The palate is medium-bodied, with soft, rustic tannins framing plush red fruit mixed with black pepper and tea leaves. There is nice depth on the finish here. Fine.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

A beautiful wine that shines on all accounts, the 2018 Château Joanin Bécot is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc from a cooler, limestone terroir in the Castillon region of Bordeaux. Aged in 50% new oak (15% in amphora), it offers a beautiful limestone and mineral-laced style in its blackcurrants, black cherry, dried herbs, camphor, and graphite aromas and flavors. Beautifully balanced, authentic, and lengthy, it will shine on release yet has the class to evolve for over a decade.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Chocolate mint, licorice, black cherry and smoke are easy to spot. There is volume with layers of ripe, dense, black fruits along with a touch of fig, dark cocoa and espresso bean. Fleshy, long and rich, this is clearly the best Joanin Becot ever. The blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc is aging in a combination of 50% new, French oak barrels, 25% in vat, 15% in amphora and 10% in one year old barrels.

Wine Advocate

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Joanin Becot is blended of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, with the Merlot harvested September 24-27 and the Cabernet Franc picked on October 11. Yields were 46 hectoliters per hectare, and aging is set to occur in 50% new barriques, 25% in vats, 15% in amphorae and 10% in one-year-old barrels. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with opulent, open-knit scents of exotic spices—star anise, fenugreek and cumin seed—over a core of plum preserves, baked cherries and blueberry compote with touches of bouquet garni, tilled soil and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of rich, plushly textured black and blue fruit with an array of spicy sparks and a long finish.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

A light and fruity red with pretty, crushed berry and cherry character. Very fine tannins. Medium body. Clean finish. 30 per cent amphora. Fun.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

88

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

90-93

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

A bright style, featuring damson plum and floral notes, flecked with herb accents and lined with a light sandalwood twinge. Very pure and pretty.