Le Point – 16.5/17 (May 2017)
By Olivier Bompas
Black fruit, burlat cherry, suave and fleshy with sweet spices and pepper. Very velvety tannins, licorice wood, tight finish that needs time to integrate.
O = 2022 / G = 18 years

La Revue du Vin de France – 18–18.5/20 (May 2017)
By Pierre Citerne
Brilliantly expresses its limestone plateau origin. Less solar and alcoholic than 2015, with precise tannic structure. Crunchy, minty, radiant fruit, less marked by oak than past vintages.

Wine Spectator – 92-95 (April 2017)
By James Molesworth
Warm fig and boysenberry at the core, with anise and fruitcake backing and sweet spice through the toasted finish.

Wine Advocate – 93-95 (April 28, 2017)
By Neal Martin
Pure bouquet of black cherries, blackcurrants, cedar, and incense. Medium-bodied with supple tannins, sensual, balanced, with a caressing finish of cedar and tobacco.
Blend: 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Harvest: October 3–20
Yield: 40 hl/ha
Drink: 2022–2045

Wine Enthusiast – 95-97 (April 2017)
By Roger Voss
Minty aromas from new wood. Generous blackberries and plums. Will need years to evolve.
Drink after: 2029

Vinous – 90-93 (April 2017)
By Antonio Galloni
Bold, juicy with ripe red cherry, smoke, spice, and red plum. Fermented partly in 600L barrels.
Consultant: Jean-Philippe Fort
Oak: ~90% new

Decanter – 94 (April 2017)
By Jane Anson
Ripe black fruits with mineral lift. Long, chalky tannins. Balanced and successful.
Drink: 2027–2050

Vinous – 95 (January 2019)
By Neal Martin
Sensual with red cherries, strawberry, cedar, and graphite. Medium-bodied, elegant, seamless. Resembles Château Canon. Possibly the best Beau-Séjour Bécot ever.
Drink: 2022–2050

JamesSuckling.com – 94 (January 2019)
By James Suckling
Aromatic with wild fruit, flowers, chalk, and mushroom. Full-bodied, ultra-fine tannins, balanced and graceful. Needs 4–5 years to integrate.
Drink after: 2023

Wine Spectator – 95 (December 2018, Top 100 List)
By James Molesworth
Juicy plum, blackberry, and açaí with licorice and fruitcake notes. Applewood detail on the finish. Energetic fruit.
Best from: 2020–2035
Production: 6,250 cases

Wine Advocate – 92 (November 30, 2018)
By Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Chocolate-covered cherries, preserved plums, black raspberries, with tea, tobacco, rose, and cinnamon. Full-bodied, finely grained tannins, and savory black fruit finish.
Blend: 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon