Château Beau-Site Haut-Vignoble
One of the unique features of Château Beau-Site Haut-Vignoble lies in the dispersion of its plots throughout the entire Saint-Estèphe appellation. Acquired over generations, this fragmentation provides a unique representation of the terroir, allowing the production of highly complex wines.
Moreover, the winemaking facilities, although housed in an ancient building, are equipped with the most modern technologies. Since 2000, the vat room has been fitted with fully temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and in 2003, the harvest reception process was redesigned to ensure gentler handling of the grapes. The semi-underground cellar, preserved as it was at the end of the 19th century, maintains an optimal natural humidity level for aging the wines.
History
The history of Château Beau-Site Haut-Vignoble dates back to 1861, during the Second Empire. The Braquessac family’s ancestor gradually acquired the first plots thanks to income from the transport of charcoal. This marked the birth of an estate that would span generations.
In 1924, Pierre Braquessac, a wine broker, doubled the vineyard’s size by acquiring new plots on the Saint-Corbian hill. His son René succeeded him in 1951 and founded the Maison du Vin de Saint-Estèphe. Today, the estate is managed by Jean-Louis Braquessac and his son Pierre, an agricultural engineer and an oenologist, respectively, continuing a family tradition of passion and excellence.
The Vineyard
Located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation, the vineyard of Château Beau-Site Haut-Vignoble spans 20.5 hectares, while its second wine, Château Tour Haut Vignoble, covers 6 hectares. Its terroir consists mainly of deep gravel, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, and clay-limestone, which adds great complexity to the wines. The grape varieties are typically Médoc, with a dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon (55% for Beau-Site Haut-Vignoble and 50% for Tour Haut Vignoble), complemented by Merlot (40 to 45%) and a touch of Petit Verdot (5%).
The vines, with an average age of 34 years, are cultivated using sustainable farming practices, with green harvesting on the most vigorous plots to ensure optimal ripening of the berries. The high planting density (8,600 to 10,000 vines/ha) encourages natural competition between the vines, limiting vigor and allowing for maximum concentration of aromas.
Winemaking and Aging
The vinification process is rigorous and precise to preserve the integrity of the fruit and fully express the terroir’s potential. After a meticulous sorting process at the winery, including the use of Viniclean technology and manual selection, the berries are placed in vats under inert gas to prevent oxidation.
Cold maceration precedes a three-week fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, where temperatures are maintained around 30°C to extract the full potential of the grapes. Extraction is carefully managed through micro-pumpovers, adapted to each parcel. A post-fermentation maceration is then conducted under strict temperature control to refine the tannic structure.
The wines are aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new, adding aromatic complexity and great depth to the wines.
Wine Character
Château Beau-Site Haut-Vignoble stands out for its balance between power and elegance. Its pronounced tannic structure, due to the predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon, is softened by the roundness of Merlot and the spicy touch of Petit Verdot. It reveals an expressive bouquet of black fruits, cedar, and spices, which evolves with age into notes of leather and undergrowth. On the palate, it offers great length and a persistent finish, a testament to its aging potential.
Château Tour Haut Vignoble, more accessible in its youth, expresses the full richness of its terroir with vibrant fruit and excellent texture. Its aromas of ripe red fruits and licorice, combined with silky tannins, make it an enticing and indulgent wine, perfect for enjoyment after a few years of aging.
