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Chateau Beauregard

The Beauregard estate as we see it today dates back to the late 18th Century, the time of the construction of the current château and also when viticulture was established as the predominant activity on the property. That is not to say, however, that things have been totally straightforward since then, and it is also not meant to convey a lack of history before this time. Indeed, the origins of the Beauregard estate perhaps lie with the Knights Hospitalliers of St John of Jerusalem, who owned and occupied a small house on the property during the 12th Century. Details of their activities here, though, are naturally sparse, and I have found little detail concerning their presence. By the 17th Century, however, the estate belonged to the de Beauregard family, this being the origin of the estate's name; by this time viticulture was certainly established, alongside other agricultural activities as would be expected on a rural estate. But it was during the hundred years that followed that the Beauregard we would recognise today truly came into being.

After the de Beauregards the property came into the ownership of Jérome de Chaussade de Chandos who, in 1755, installed his son Luc-Jermé at the property. It is this latter character who, having consulted his comrade Jacques Kanon (of Chateau Canon), developed the vineyard on the estate. He was successful in his venture, and his four children - his son Jermé and three daughters - were set to inherit a fine estate, were it not for the Revolution. The new regime brought an end to primogeniture in 1793, but rather than see their estate divided up into quarters, Jermé and his three siblings sold the property intact for a very good price. The new owner, Bonaventure Berthomieux, was a wealthy merchant who had made his fortune dealing in grain and wine. With his conspicuous wealth and his position in the local appeal court, however, his life was clearly in danger under the Terror that saw much of French nobility put to the guillotine. It was his stance as a liberal and supporter of the Revolution, his sale of grain at reduced prices to locals in the 1791 and 1792 food shortages, and their subsequent support for him that saved Bonaventure. By the time this terrifying phase came to an end in 1794 he had not only survived, but his fortune was intact, and he marked his salvation with the construction of a new château on the estate between 1795 and 1797. This building, a two-storey house with a stone terrace, a small moat and expansive gardens, still stands on the estate today. It is an attractively proportioned construction, and indeed was so appealing to the eye that the Guggenheim family had a replica, named Mille-Fleurs, constructed as their retreat on Long Island in New York.

After Bonaventure

Chateau Beauregard Having steered the estate through such difficult times with such skill, it is regretful that under Bonaventure's descendents the estate floundered somewhat. This was mainly due to some questionable decisions by Barry-Berthomieux, who was probably Berthomieux's son. At this time prices for wine were low, and the new generation concentrated on the culture of madder, a crop which provided a decent income, and which could be planted on rich alluvial soils not suitable for the vine. The vineyard was neglected, to the detriment of the wine naturally, and when the madder market collapsed with the arrival of cochineal imported from Mexico it became clear that this scheme had been a financial disaster. It should perhaps not surprise us that by 1854 the estate had been sold; the new proprietor was a gentleman named Durand-Desgranges, and new blood brought benefits for the estate. He replanted and extended the vineyard, and the reputation of the wine increased considerably. By the time the estate was next sold, in 1920, it was firmly established as one of the leading names in the region.

As is the case with many estates during the 20th Century the property changed hands a few times, although here less so than was the case at some others I think. It first came to the Chavroche brothers, and was then purchased by a lawyer named Brulé. He presented it as a gift to his god-daughter Henriette Giraud, who was wedded to Raymond Clauzel, in 1922. The couple and their children brought stability to the estate, only selling it to Foncier-Vignobles - a vinous arm of Crédit Foncier de France - who also own Bastor-Lamontagne, in 1991. The Clauzel descendents, Paul Clauzel and his wife, remained residents at the estate until their death.

Chateau Beauregard: the Vines and Wines

The vineyard here totals 17.5 hectares, planted on three terraces with the top vines sitting pretty on the clay and gravel plateau of Pomerol, with the lower vines planted on more sandy soils. Clearly it is these former vines that have the greater potential, and here Merlot predominates, with more Cabernet planted as the soils become more sandy. The vineyard in total comprises 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and the vines have an average age of 35 years. In the vineyard there is crop-thinning to control yields, and leaf-thinning during the summer months. The harvest is manual into 30 kg baskets to protect the fruit, sorted by hand and then lightly pressed before fermentation in stainless steel thermo-regulated vats, with assemblage in concrete cuves. Over the last few decades many vintages have been made with consultation from Michel Rolland, and he is perhaps in part responsible for the dramatic improvement in the quality of the wines reported during this time. The introduction of a second wine Le Benjamin de Beauregard and an increase in the proportion of new oak used, from 30% to 60%, must have had some effect on the quality of the grand vin, which is of course labelled as Chateau Beauregard.

My experience of the wines has largely been with very recent vintages, although I did taste the 1990 in a line up of mature Pomerols back in 2000. The wine was exceedingly good, in keeping with the opinion of Clive Coates who wrote in 1995 in Grand Vins that the 1989 and 1990 vintages repeated the success of the 1985, which he described as a 'knock-out'. This was his verdict having tasted the latter wine on a visit to Beauregard with Michel Rolland in 1987. In more recent vintages there have also been successes; with the 2001 and 2004 vintages I enjoyed the freshness and rounded grip of each, and in fact I have rated the 2005 - certainly a more exalted vintage on the whole - a little lower, because of the dense chewy tannins in this wine which seemed a little overworked to me. Nevertheless, if these resolve, it could be a fabulous wine with time. (18/9/08)

Contact details:
Address: 33500 Pomerol
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 57 51 13 36
Fax: +33 (0) 5 57 25 09 55
Internet: www.chateau-beauregard.com

Chateau Beauregard - Tasting Notes

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2007

Chateau Beauregard (Pomerol) 2007: This has a fine and pure, slightly exotic presence of fruit on the nose, with spiced plums and other fruits; overall it has a seductive character that is very typical for the appellation. On the palate it is light-footed, showing an elegant poise at the start, and more flesh through the midpalate. Nicely aromatic fruit, freshness, and underneath quite some grip. This has a good style. From my 2007 Bordeaux en primeur assessment. 15.5-16.5+/20 (April 2008)

2006

Chateau Beauregard (Pomerol) 2006: Appealing, spiced, plummy Merlot nose, overall an expressive but gently composed wine. On entry very gentle, rather lean and stony in style, although there is a pleasant balance of supple flesh and tannins. Perhaps a touch firmer in the midpalate, and a hard, bare-structured finish. From a tasting of 2006 St Emilion & Pomerol. 15.5+/20 (October 2008)

2005

Chateau Beauregard (Pomerol) 2005: An aromatic, plummy, dusty style of fruit on the nose here, with a spicy character and also just a little touch of heat. It has a soft and rounded texture on entry, initially showing a rather soft and elegant style which was perhaps a touch unfocussed. Then there are plenty of ripe and chewy tannins which are certainly more apparent at the finish. Possibly a touch heavy on the extraction, but quiet a nice style nevertheless. From my tasting of 2005 Bordeaux at two years of age. 16.5+/20 (October 2007)

2004

Chateau Beauregard (Pomerol) 2004: An expressive, fruit-laden nose, with a seductive note of plum. This has a really good depth. Lovely, quite ripe, a little grippy, but the tannins nicely melded with some lovely, svelte, dark fruit. This has very good freshness and fine style. From my Bordeaux 2004 assessment. 17/20 (October 2006)

2001

Chateau Beauregard (Pomerol) 2001: Good fruit character here, complex spicy plum and brambles. Lots of interest. Some richness on the palate, lots of fruit and texture, with rather nice acidity and balance through the midpalate. Nicely rounded and defined, through to the finish. Very good indeed. From a tasting of 2001 Pomerol. 17.5+/20 (February 2008)

1990

Chateau Beauregard (Pomerol) 1990: A rich purple hue. The nose carries berry fruit with some smokiness, later developing lovely liquorice aromas. On the palate lovely weight, obvious tannins, the liquorice showing through on the flavour profile. The tannins carry through onto the finish with a slightly bitter touch. With good fruit, plenty of tannin and balancing acidity this wine will keep. From a tasting of mature Pomerol. 17.5/20 (June 2000)