France, Bordeaux

A small (4.5 hectare) property when bought by the Bécot family of Beauséjour Bécot in 2001, this has been gradually expanded to 11.5ha. High up (300m) on the Castillon sector to the east of Saint Emilion, near Château d'Aiguilhe, in a sector called Joanon, whence the name, to which the Bécot family added theirs. It is on a soil like the Saint Emilion plateau, chalky clay and calcaire d'asteries, the limestone with fossilized stafish common to the area. It is run like a garden by Juliette Bécot, and the wine treated to the same care and attention as a cru classé. The vinification includes a cooling of the must with dry ice and a period of cold maceration lasting five days, followed by rather a Burgundian style fermentation with pigeage. The wine is aged for between 16 and 18 months in barrel, with 75% new wood. It has always shown well at primeur tastings with bright fruit and well-defined supple juiciness.