Château Beychevelle 1998

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Château Beychevelle 1998

Tasting

Colour
This red wine displays a deep garnet hue, reflecting its lovely evolution, with tawny and orange glints at the rim of the disc.

Nose
The bouquet reveals itself to be complex and perfectly expressive. It combines aromas of ripe black and red fruits, such as blackcurrant and redcurrant, with notes of sweet spice, tea and cedar. Seductive tertiary hints of undergrowth, leather and liquorice add further richness to the whole.

Palate
Medium-bodied, the palate offers a harmonious and classic structure. The tannins are now largely resolved, supported by a well-judged acidity that preserves an appealing freshness. The finish, wonderfully persistent, lingers on delicate liquorice notes.

Food and Wine Pairing

This grand cru pairs beautifully with roasted or slow-cooked red meats, such as a rack of lamb or a fine cut of beef. It will also enhance sauce-based dishes with wild mushrooms, feathered game, and pressed cooked cheeses such as aged Comté.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate Château Beychevelle 1998, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 17 to 18°C, following a moderate one- to two-hour aeration and gentle decanting. Now fully mature, this vintage is ready to be enjoyed now and over the coming years.

The Classic Elegance of a Grand Cru Classé from Saint-Julien

The Estate

Nicknamed the "Versailles of the Médoc" for its majestic architecture and remarkable gardens, the estate's first château was built in 1565. Located in the Bordeaux region, this illustrious property spans 250 hectares. Its identity is closely tied to the legend of the "lowered sail", a symbol of allegiance for ships passing along the Gironde estuary. Today, Château Beychevelle belongs to the company Grands Millésimes de France, held in equal shares by the Castel and Suntory groups. The estate stands out for its strong environmental commitment and for producing wines that combine power with refinement.

The Vineyard

The 92.5 hectares of vines flourish at the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation. Ideally situated along the banks of the Gironde estuary, which acts as a thermal regulator, the terroir consists of deep Garonne gravel resting on a clay-and-gravel subsoil. Planted at high density, the vineyard is managed under a certified sustainable approach, with particular attention paid to preserving the soil and biodiversity.

The Vintage

1998 is recognised in Bordeaux as a vintage of fine quality. On the Left Bank, weather conditions gave rise to wines with a very classic profile, whose success relied on careful management of ripeness throughout the growing cycle.

Winemaking and Ageing

Following hand-harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes underwent bespoke, plot-by-plot vinification to respect the identity of the terroir. Château Beychevelle 1998 was then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, with around 50% new oak, refining the structure while preserving the brightness of the fruit.

Grape Varieties

For this vintage, the blend is built around Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by a particularly high proportion of Merlot (around 45%), along with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.