Château Beychevelle 2019

Dark, with plum, açaí and blackberry compote notes, this is juicy and expressive. Features racy wood spice, graphite and apple wood notes, which give this a structured feel through the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038. 2,000 cases imported.

Dark nose, quite serious and seductive. This draws you in from the first smell with lovely florality and delicacy. On the palate it's deep and the power is on show no doubt, there's concentration but also such aromatics and purity of fruit with tannins that are gentle and svelte. Lifted the whole way through, good acidity and a subtle creaminess at the end. A well framed, pretty and powerful style. Great winemaking with precision.

Gorgeous aromas of currants, crushed stones, blackberries and flowers. Full-bodied with refined, long, very polished tannins. Creamy texture. It goes on for minutes. Lovely energy and sophistication. Try after 2026.

46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample. Fragrant and floral on the nose. Plenty of zest and energy on the palate. Smooth, velvety texture. Tannins plentiful but polished. Clean and digestible with a persistent, palate-cleansing finish. (JL)

Beychevelle has been on a roll, especially these last few years. I expected quite a bit more from the 2019, but the two bottles I have tasted so far have been marked by an awkward combination of super-ripe fruit, vegetal notes and hard, aggressive contours.

Dark garnet in color, the wine pops with its nose that already shows tobacco leaf, forest floor, cedar, earth, savory herbs, spice and currants. Medium-bodied, fresh and vibrant, with soft, elegant, polished tannins along with ample blackberries and red currants on the mid-palate and in the finesse styled finish. Drink from 2028-2050.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fine chocolate notes, Black Forest berries, delicate hints of ripe heart cherry, candied orange zest, inviting bouquet. Juicy, lively structure, red heart cherry, medium complexity, fine tannins, pleasant sweetness on the finish, mineral and good persistence, has future ageing potential.

Almost black purple with a dense core. Concentrated bouquet of elderberry juice and refined cassis spice, followed by light tobacco and lilac notes. On the elegant palate, silky texture and supportive tannins combined with fine, nervy tension, preserving its finesse. Aromatic finish with blue berries, Brazilian tobacco and finely grained extract. Well done, Philippe Blanc!

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 13.7% alc./vol., production 250,000 bottles) Finely off-dry, mineral bouquet with blueberries, blackberries, cedar, cold smoke, and delicate dried-fruit notes. A classic, medium-bodied palate with dark fruit, good tannins, a finely muscular structure, dark aromatics, and a finely dry finish.

(46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 13.7% alc./vol., production 250,000 bottles) Delicately off-dry, mineral bouquet with blueberries, blackberries, cedar, cold smoke, and subtle dried fruit. A classic, medium-bodied palate with dark fruit, good tannins, a finely muscular structure, dark aromatics, and a finely dry finish. 17/20 2025 - 2042

Classic balance, with an extra kick that gives longevity and a moreish juice on the finish. Great quality, this has spice, raspberry, black cherry and mirabelle plum fruit, with a ton of slate. Well balanced, appellation typicity, fresh acidities. Harvest September 23 to October 11, 60% new oak for ageing.

The 2019 Beychevelle is composed of 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to offer notes of black cherry compote, blackcurrant cordial, and pencil lead, plus hints of camphor and truffles. The medium-bodied palate is soft and elegantly played, with fine-grained tannins and a mineral-laced finish.

An aromatic marvel with a floral hint of violet that recalls the finest Pomerols, yet with a different mouthfeel—all silk and subtlety in its tactile gradations. Long, complex, supremely elegant, and, within the context of its appellation, distinguished by its astonishing Merlots.

The 2019 is a charming, well-poised Beychevelle, with silky texture, good persistence, and integrating tannins. Refined, with very impressive length, and elegant, juicy fruit.

A nose of tightly intertwined black fruits, with notes of blackberry, prune and Black Forest. On the palate, the same purity of crunchy black and blue fruits typical of Beychevelle, wrapped in a limpid, caressing texture, with an irresistible chalky grain on the finish.

The nose is elegant, fine, racy, with lovely juicy/fresh fruit, controlled power, precision, as well as depth and aromatic intensity. It reveals notes of ripe/crushed wild blackcurrant and, more lightly, wild raspberry, combined with touches of violet, small crushed blue plums, zan/licorice stick, along with discreet hints of nutmeg, incense, toasted hazelnut, a very subtle hint of black tea, and an imperceptible hint of aromatic herbs/almost sage. The palate is elegant, fruity, balanced, racy, offering lovely juiciness, freshness, good definition, elegance, finesse, roundness, smoothness, a fine creaminess (delicately), precision, power (with elegance and subtlety), as well as a fine and very discreetly tight grain. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, crushed wild blackcurrant and, more lightly, cornflower, combined with small touches of violet, crushed black plum, hints of toast, zan/licorice stick, fine hints of vanilla pod and mocha, as well as an imperceptible hint of camphor (in the background) and an imperceptible almost-sage note. The tannins are elegant, racy and enveloping. Good length.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Very aromatic nose with ripe, subtle fruit. Soft on entry, flavorful mid-palate, with a creamy touch; the wine, very juicy, caresses the palate. It finishes perfumed with present but well-wrapped tannins. Normal length.

A model of balance from the very first nose, with uncompromising precision, a fine touch of élevage and a faint hint of licorice. The palate is focused and juicy. This is a tonic, vibrant wine, with delicate flesh and beautifully defined tannins that support and propel it. Lovely balance between fruit concentration and acidity. With this vintage, we truly move into another dimension, combining great depth with remarkable definition. An emotionally moving wine with real personality.

94–96. Barrel Sample. Dense and concentrated, this wine is layered in dark tannins, rich chocolate and black fruits. The estate is producing richer wines than in the past without sacrificing the Saint-Julien style.