Viniou Reviews
Château Béard 2009 is a distinguished Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, hailing from the right bank of Bordeaux in the esteemed Le Libournais region. This wine is predominantly crafted from Merlot, the noble grape cherished in Saint-Émilion for its supple tannins and depth of fruit, often blended with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and occasionally Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 vintage is particularly noteworthy, benefiting from an excellent growing season that yielded wines of remarkable ripeness, structure, and longevity. Vineyards in this appellation frequently lie on limestone and clay soils, favouring concentrated fruit and elegant minerality. Vinification at Château Béard follows traditional Bordeaux methods, with careful fermentation and extended maturation in French oak barrels, resulting in a wine of finesse, complexity, and ageing potential.
The Saint-Émilion region is steeped in viticultural heritage, celebrated both for its medieval village and for producing some of Bordeaux’s most prestigious wines. The temperate maritime climate ensures moderate winters and warm, sunny summers, with sufficient rainfall to nourish the vines without excessive dilution. Soils in Saint-Émilion are famously varied, ranging from limestone-rich plateaux to sandy-clay slopes, bestowing each estate’s wine with its unique character. The harmonious interplay between climate and terroir allows producers like Château Béard to achieve both power and elegance in their Grand Cru bottlings.
This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru aligns beautifully with dishes featuring red meats, especially classic French preparations such as beef fillet with a red wine reduction or duck confit. The wine’s velvety tannins and ripe black fruit flavours also complement lamb roast with rosemary or a slow-cooked cassoulet. For a regional pairing, consider entrecôte à la bordelaise, where the wine’s freshness and structure elevate the rich, sauce-laden dish. Mature hard cheeses such as Comté or aged Gouda also provide a wonderful companion.
For optimal enjoyment, decant Château Béard 2009 for at least an hour to allow it to breathe and reveal its aromatic bouquet. Serve at a temperature of 17-18°C to showcase the wine’s depth, silkiness, and subtle tertiary characteristics that have developed over more than a decade of ageing.
