Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Beychevelle
A property that seems to be awakening, this St.-Julien leans toward more of a Margaux style. The attractive earthy, floral, red currant, and raspberry notes are impressively intense and complex in the aromatics. This dark ruby/purple-tinged wine displays elegance, finesse, and a beautiful mouthfeel in a restrained, moderately intense, but still classic style with sweet tannins. Tobacco, cedar, earth, and red and black fruits are prominent in both the aromas and the flavors. This wine can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years.
The 2006 Château Beychevelle has a more open and more complex bouquet compared to the 2006 Talbot. I appreciate the clarity and detail here with briary, cedar and touches of forest floor, suggesting that it has both feet planted on its drinking plateau. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm grip in the mouth. This is clean and fresh with a fine line of acidity: brambly red fruit, white pepper, cloves and a touch of fennel on the finish. This surpasses previous bottles that I have tasted.
Healthy look. Very deep crimson. Very flattering oak élevage nose. On the palate, the acidity is the dominant feature. Quite attractive so long as you don't drink it next to a 2005! Date tasted 7th Nov 08.
Bright, deep red. Musky currant, licorice, tobacco, cedar and herbs on the nose and palate. Juicy and on the lean side but with very good focus and cut to its flavors. Characterized more by its vinosity and elegance than by body or power. The moderately long finish features firm tannins that avoid coming off as hard.
Beychevelle has been a hit-or-miss estate for nearly three decades, but it appears to be achieving more consistency and quality over recent vintages. The deep plum/ruby-tinged 2006 possesses charcoal, black cherry, cedar, and spice characteristics, sweet fruit, medium body, an elegant, but substantial style, and impressive concentration, texture, and length. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2028.
Tasted at the UGC. A deep garnet hue. The nose is tight at first, eventually revealing notes of blackberry, cut grass and a touch of plum. The palate is full-bodied with a soft entry, leading to a ripe, rounded mid-palate with notes of blackberry, dates and a touch of raisin. It seems to lack a bit of backbone at this stage, but it may put on weight in barrel. Could do with a little more poise and precision on the finish. Tasted April 2007.
Red-ruby. Currant, chocolate, tobacco and sexy oak on the musky, expressive nose. More juicy and higher-pitched than the 2007, with more acidity and tannic grip to the flavors of black fruits, truffle and chocolate. A stylish Beychevelle with subtle sweetness and good balance. The IPT here is 72, noted Blanc, compared to 67 for the 2007, and the pH here is a tad lower: 3.86, vs. 3.89. This is showing well, especially considering that it was on its finings when I tried it.