Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse

Rethinking her heritage

It’s an oh-so familiar Bordeaux tale.

Shareholders of a family estate want to cash in. A member of the young generation wants to keep it but can’t afford to buy them out.

In 2021, the story of St-Emilion’s Château Beauséjour (Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse), a premier grand cru classé that makes stunning lush wines, had a happier ending. That’s because two 30-year-old women believed in their own abilities and shared a vision. A generation ago, they probably couldn’t have pulled it off.

Ambitious ninth-generation Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse pitched the investment to Prisca Courtin-Clarins, whose family owns Clarins cosmetics, and who manages her family’s investments. The duo put together a deal, the Courtin family’s first wine world foray. Despite an earlier sale agreement, French agricultural land agency SAFER awarded the estate to the pair (part of their mandate is to help young farmers) to keep the connection with the historic family and thanks in part to their sustainability and biodiversity vision.

Winemaker Joséphine, who has worked in Napa, New Zealand, Mexico and Bordeaux, quickly took charge, re-blending the existing 2020 assemblage to show more freshness, and included 19% Cabernet Franc because of its quality. The 2021 vintage was difficult, but she is happy with the balance and vibrancy that she says is ‘my style’ and hired a new consultant team, including Dr Axel Marchal (recipient of the Decanter Rising Star award in 2021).

The future? She says: ‘I want Beauséjour to be compared to the great wines of the world.’

‘I want Beauséjour to be compared to the great wines of the world’ --------------------------- Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse