Farr Vintners Logo

Beychevelle 2010

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Beychevelle

Label

Tasting Notes

Showing better from bottle than it did from barrel, where it was also impressive, but not quite at this level, the 2010 Beychevelle displays sweet black currant, black cherry, foresty notes, medium to full-bodied texture with impressive purity and moderately high tannins (although they've softened considerably during the wine's upbringing in barrel). Layered and rich for a Beychevelle, this wine should easily withstand three decades of cellaring. I would give it another 3-4 years of bottle age, but this is a fabulous effort from the first chateau one sees upon entering the appellation of St.-Julien.

94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Beychevelle 2010 has a very refined bouquet with blackberry, mineral, a touch of wild heather - all beautifully defined although still a little closed after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry, light peppery fruit and a deep, almost broody finish that demonstrates great weight and persistency. This is a great Beychevelle from Philippe Blanc and his team, though it deserves several years in bottle. Tasted November 2012.

95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

Beautiful aromas of blackberries, currants and flowers. Very aromatic. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and gorgeous fruit. It's polished and very refined. One of the best Beychevelles in years. Try in 2018.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Beychevelle comes roaring out of the glass with bombastic scents of baked blackcurrants, plum preserves and Black Forest cake plus touches of potpourri, cedar chest and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has evolved black fruit flavors and a firm, chewy texture, finishing with nice freshness and a spicy kick. 2020 - 2045

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

Medium intense colour, with a slightly simple toasty oak nose. Pretty chewy palate. Very dry tannins! Very pure expression but it will need a great deal of time to show itself in any flattering light.

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011

With its distinctive label of a sailing boat, Beychevelle is a Bordeaux that is popular the world over. Always one of the most forward of the Saint Julien classed growths, this is a wine that is usually made to give relatively early drinking pleasure rather than to win academic blind tastings. We have noticed a significant step-up in quality in recent vintages. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon is low for the Northern Medoc and there is always a high percentage of Merlot in the blend. Always polished and supple, it is in huge demand in China where it is known as "Dragon Boat Wine". 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. 50% new oak. Medium weight, relatively forward for the vintage. Nice plump middle and ripe, rounded tannins. Attractive but not very complex.

91
Farr Vintners, April 2011

The nose is quite firm but there is a good mix of black fruited flavours. The start of the palate has bilberry freshness but behind is richer cassis with a touch of black cherry. Firm tannins tend to hold back the fruit but there is the feel of more to show.

89/94
Derek Smedley MW, April 2011
96
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2011

Beautifully concentrated cassis fruit, lovely aromatics on the nose, fine middle palate and good grippy tannins, a very good Beychevelle. Drink 2018-30.

17.5
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

Flowery blueberry, red and black currant fruit notes intermixed with a hint of damp earth emerge from this wine's moderate aromatics. Elegant with medium body as well as a classic Beychevelle style with high tannins and a more restrained structure, the elevated tannins suggest 7-8 years of cellaring will be necessary. It should keep for 25-30 years thereafter

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

The Beychevelle 2010 displays very good intensity on the nose with dark berries, a touch of Dorset plum and an almost Margaux-like floral element. The palate is full-bodied, certainly a very powerful Saint Julien that reminds me of Ducru Beaucaillou. Enormous structure on the palate, silky smooth tannins, very nice symmetry with notes of blackberry, cedar and a touch of allspice. The rounded finish belies the backbone underneath although you can feel the grip on the aftertaste. This is as good as the 2009, but more masculine and will need longer to reach its plateau. Drink 2018- Tasted March 2011.

94/96
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011

Mineral, lemon grass and berries on the nose. Full bodied with ultra-fine tannins and wonderful finish. Lasts for minutes. This is the best Beychevelle in years. Maybe decades.

93/94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.