Beauregard, Bastor-Lamontagne back in private hands

Yohan Castaing of Bordeaux reminded me to pass on news of  this latest property transaction in Bordeaux. But see also this riveting story from WineSpectator.com about a rash of Chinese acquisitions in Bordeaux over the last few years.

The Moulin and Cathiard families, respectively owners of Galeries Lafayette and Château Smith Haut Lafitte of Pessac-Léognan, have completed the acquisition of Château Beauregard and three other wine properties from the BPCE banking group. With an area of ​​17 hectares of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Château Beauregard has one of Pomerol's grander château buildings on the eastern edge of Catusseau. Also included in the transaction were Pavillon de Beauregard (8 hectares of vines), the sweet wine property Château Bastor-Lamontagne in Sauternes (52 hectares of vineyards, 30 hectares of park and woodland); and Château Saint-Robert (AOC Graves, 33 hectares of vineyards, 16 acres of park and woodland).

The Moulin family is the major shareholder while the energetic and experienced Cathiard family, who also operate the luxury hotel and restaurant Les Sources de Caudalie by Smith Haut Lafitte on the southern fringes of Bordeaux, will bring the wine expertise. One may expect the wines to gain focus and depth.