Wines Saint-Estèphe Château Beau-Site - 2018

Château Beau-Site 2018 from Saint-Estèphe in Bordeaux is a classic Médoc blend, predominantly featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The 2018 vintage benefited from an ideal, sun-filled growing season, resulting in grapes of excellent ripeness and concentration. Vinification follows traditional Bordeaux methods, with a temperature-controlled fermentation and significant ageing in oak barrels, typically adding structure, complexity, and an elegant spice to the final wine. Saint-Estèphe wines are known for their robust tannins, dark berry fruit character, hints of cedar and tobacco leaf, and a subtle mineral edge deriving from the gravelly soils.

Saint-Estèphe is the northernmost appellation of the prestigious Médoc region, bordered by the Gironde estuary. The proximity to the river moderates the climate, ensuring a long, steady ripening period ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. The gravelly soils mixed with clay play a critical role, enhancing both drainage and the capacity to produce wines of structure and longevity. Historically, Saint-Estèphe has been famed for its powerful wines with admirable ageing potential, as well as its châteaux’s commitment to traditional methods while embracing modern oenological advancements.

For food pairings, Château Beau-Site 2018 shines with classic red meat dishes. Consider a ribeye steak with Bordelaise sauce, roast lamb with rosemary, or duck breast. Regional dishes such as entrecôte à la Bordelaise or confit de canard are especially fitting, as are hard cheeses like aged Comté or Ossau-Iraty. To appreciate the wine’s youthful structure and layered complexity, decant for at least an hour if opened young, or cellar for further evolution.

Serve at a temperature of 16-18°C to best display its aromatics and palate structure. This will allow the wine’s refined tannins and vibrant fruit notes to fully express themselves, ensuring a truly enjoyable tasting experience.