'From a magical terroir on the upper plateau, just outside of Saint-Émilion' (Jeb Dunnuck), Beau-Séjour Bécot is always a very smart En Primeur buy. Classified on par with Canon and Figeac, yet far less expensive than either, as a result it often flies under the radar in the appellation.

Over the past few years, however, it has made great strides, gaining ground on its illustrious neighbours and part of that is down to the estate hiring oenological consultant Thomas Duclot, the genius behind the meteoric rise of Canon to its current quality.

Building on their break-out 2018 vintage, the Beau-Séjour Bécot 2019 is the best vintage date for this 'elegant and succulent' (DC) Saint-Emilion. Scoring a massive 96 points from Decanter's Jane Anson, pretty and subtle at first it then 'explodes in juicy fruit' in the glass, with a salinity and minerality that can only be imbued by Saint-Émilion's limestone terroir. With a drinking window up to 2044, this has the new high standard of quality we can come to expect from Beau-Séjour Bécot.

The estate chose not to send out samples and with COVID-19 travel restrictions only Bordeaux based Jane Anson was able to try their 2019 release. When the likes of the Wine Advocate, Vinous and Jeb Dunnuck are finally able to review it, we expect it to do equally as well and for the market to move quickly - so now is the best time to buy.

Offered today at the opening En Primeur release price of just £240 per case IB, this is a stand-out vintage from this estate on the rise. At this price, the Beau-Séjour Bécot could end up being the best buy from the whole of Saint-Émilion in 2019.