Chateau Beauregard

The present Beauregard estate dates back to the 1700s, during which time the current chateau was constructed and viticulture was established on the estate. It was owned by the Beauregard family, this of course being the origin of the name.

After the Beauregards’ tenure the property came into the hands of Jerome de Chassade de Chandos who, in 1755, installed his son Luc-Jerme at the property. It is this latter character who, having conversed with his comrade Jacques Kanon (of Chateau Canon, no less), developed the vineyard on the estate. This venture met with success, and his children were to inherit a fine estate – were it not for the advent of the Revolution the abolishment of primogeniture. Rather than have the estate divided in quarters, Jerme and his siblings sold the property intact for an excellent price. The new proprietor, Bonaventure Berthomieux, was a well off merchant who had made quite a fortune dealing in grain and wine; precisely the sort of person whose conspicuous wealth would make them a target of the Terror. Berthomieux’s saving grace was his liberal credentials, his sale of grain at low prices during shortages, and his numerous contacts. By the time the Terror had passed him by he found his fortune intact, and promptly undertook the construction of a new chateau on the estate between 1795 and 1797. This was a quaint two-storey affair with a small moat.

Sadly, Bonaventure’s progeny were less conducive to success, thanks in part to some debatable decisions taken by Barry-Berthomieux, his son. At the time prices for wine were low, and many growers focused instead on the culture of madder, a crop which provided a decent income. The result was that the vineyard was neglected, and the quality of the wine suffered. When the madder market collapsed due to the arrival of Mexican cochineal, the financial ruin was complete. By 1854 the estate was sold to a gentleman whose new blood brought immediate benefits to the struggling estate. Durand-Desgranges replanted the vineyard, extended it, and imposed quality control; the wine improved in turn, winning great renown. When the estate was next sold in 1920, it commanded the high price befitting a leading name in the region.

The 20th century brought many changes in ownership until it reached Henriette Giraud, a gift from her godfather: A lawyer named Brule. She was wedded to Raymond Clauzel and their children brought stability to the estate, only selling to Foncier-Vignobles in 1991. The Clauzel descendents, Paul Clauzel and his wife, remained residents at the estate until their death.

Today, the vineyard boasts 17.5 hectares which are distributed across three terraces. The top vines are situated on the clay and gravel plateau of Pomerol, while lower vines are planted on sandier soils. There’s little doubt as to which vines harbour most potential, and Merlot takes up the biggest share of ‘top vines’. In total, Merlot comprises 70% while Cabernet Franc takes up 30%. Wines have an average age of 35 years. Harvest is manual, and quality control measures are impressive. Crops are thinned to keep yields in line, and green harvesting is the norm. Fermentation takes place in modern stainless steel thermo-regulated vats. The role of Michel Rolland and the introduction of a second wine, Le Benjamin de Beauregard, has resulted in escalating quality. This is an estate that is still on the rise, producing truly compelling wines.