Philippe Castéja defends a classic idea of Bordeaux, which is expressed in particular through his property in Saint-Estèphe, Château Beau-Site, which produces magnificent crus bourgeois.
By Romain Rivière
It takes almost an hour and a half to drive to Saint-Estèphe from downtown Bordeaux. Drive along the Gironde, which stretches quietly on the right, past Pauillac, and continue for a few more kilometers. There are not the beautiful valleys of Saint-Emilion here; no, the terroir is different. We are already in the Haut-Médoc. The Atlantic is very close. Here, in the most northerly of the Médoc’s communal appellations, a few grands crus classés are present but it is mainly the crus bourgeois that reign. Château Beau-Site is one of them.
Its 35-hectare estate, one of the oldest in the commune, slopes gently down to the Gironde, so that, from the terrace, the view dominates the entire vineyard and that of Calon-Ségur, its neighbor. A stony slope where the Castéja family, owner, has carefully preserved the old vines in order to produce racy, complete, elegant wines, like the best Saint-Estèphe wines.
It must be said that the Castéja family defends a classic idea of Bordeaux. “I always thought that the fashion for highly concentrated wines, like that of over-boiled wines, would not last. Today, the aromatic deviations and the premature evolution observed in these wines during aging must make their winemakers regret having chosen certain options. Making great wines means defending a style,” explains Philippe Castéja, who also owns estates in Pauillac (Château Batailley), Pomerol (Domaine de l’Eglise and La Croix du Casse) and Saint-Emilion (Château Trotte Vieille).
The 2016 vintage, made primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) and Merlot (16%) as well as Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, represents that elegant freshness we love about Saint-Estèphe. A nose of very lively fruits, then an ample mouth with a beautiful chew, elegant tannins and a beautiful length characterize it. Notes of black fruits subtly mixed with spices make it a racy wine suitable for red meat, grilled poultry and summer vegetables. Like the other wines of Philippe Castéja, this Saint-Estèphe is sold through the latest addition to the family: lagrandecave.fr. With three million bottles of Bordeaux for all tastes and budgets, stored in dedicated cellars near Bordeaux, this site, based on the know-how of the Castéja family, is a gateway to the Bordeaux vineyards.
