Beychevelle 2013

A solid effort from this beautiful St.-Julien estate, the 2013 Beychevelle displays a healthy dark plum/ruby/purple-tinged color along with a floral-scented nose offering notes of black and red currants, forest floor, and subtle oak. With excellent richness, fine-grained, soft tannin and enough acidity for definition, it should drink well for 10-12 years.

The Grand Vin is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot cropped at 28.5hl/ha between 1 and 10 October. There is around 9% vin de presse. It has a rather "sedate" bouquet with earthy black fruit, a hint of graphite originating from the Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate is balanced, light with that graphite theme interwoven through the black fruit. It is nicely focused although very linear and a little hollow towards the finish. As Philippe Blanc said, this is "honest" Beychevelle that will not set the world on fire, but it should drink nicely over the next decade. Tasted March 2014.