92 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Château Joanin Bécot brings the Bécot family’s Right Bank experience to Castillon, immediately east of Saint-Émilion, where Merlot and Cabernet Franc thrive on the appellation’s limestone-influenced slopes. The generous 2018 vintage produced a wine of ample fruit and texture, but with enough freshness and Cabernet Franc lift to keep its richness in balance.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine will be donated to support breast cancer research and awareness.

Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc.

Tasting Notes: Black cherry, plum and blackberry form the core, joined by violet, licorice and subtle graphite, with tobacco and savory herbal notes developing as the wine opens. The palate is broad and supple, with ripe dark fruit, polished tannins and a fresh, gently mineral finish.

Structure: Medium to full-bodied, with the plush texture of ripe Merlot supported by fine-grained tannins and the freshness of Cabernet Franc. The 2018 has enough structure for further development, but its tannins are already well integrated and the wine is entering an appealing stage for drinking.

Drink Window: Now–2033. The 2018 is moving into its early maturity and should drink particularly well over the next several years as its primary dark fruit begins to take on more savory, earthy complexity.

Decanting: Decant for approximately 30–45 minutes to open the aromatics and allow any early sediment to settle. As the wine moves further into maturity, increasingly gentle handling will be preferable to prolonged aeration.

The 2018 Joanin Bécot offers a persuasive introduction to serious Castillon, combining ripe Right Bank fruit with the structure and freshness to develop beyond simple early drinking. It is particularly well suited to roast beef, lamb, duck, braised short ribs or mushroom dishes, while its approachable maturity makes it an easy choice for a Bordeaux dinner without requiring further years in the cellar.