Chateau Beaumont

Owned by the Société Grands Millésimes de France, who also own Château Beychevelle, this is a large estate of nearly 114 hectares, with a grand château built in 1854. The estate has slightly more Cabernet than Merlot planted, but in 2004, equal amounts were used in the grand vin, which spent a year in oak, a third of which was new. Respect for the environment is not something you see frequently in Bordeaux, but in 2004, Beaumont became only the fifth estate in the Médoc to gain certification for Integrated Farming. 2004 Château Beaumont, Cru Bourgeois, Haut-Médoc La Cardonne is located in the Northern Médoc on what passes for a hill in these parts. The 90 hectare vineyard is split between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of Cabernet Franc. La Cardonne was owned by the Rothschild family of Lafite from 1973 to 1990, when it was purchased by Gaëtan Charloux. Perhaps against expectation, the wines improved dramatically after the change of ownership and they are now among the best Cru Bourgeois, but without a price tag to match.