Chateau Beychevelle

Bordeaux

The 2019 Vintage

About the producer

About the producer

With greater care in the vineyard and more precision in the winery, Château Beychevelle's star is rising. That's in large part due to the leadership of Philippe Blanc and investment by current owners, Japanese brewers Suntory and French wine group Castel. Legend has it that in the 17th century, ships sailing past the property lowered their sails as they passed as a mark of respect to the owner, an admiral, the Duke of Épernon. The Gascon term for lower the sails, "becha vela", gives rise to the name Beychevelle.

In The Vineyard

In The Vineyard

Classified as a Fourth Growth in 1855, this gravel-rich Saint-Julien vineyard boasts approximately 90 hectares under vine. A little over half of the vineyard is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon and the current custodians hope to increase that proportion while reducing the ratio of Merlot. The flesh and juice of the Merlot means that Beychevelle can often be more voluptuous than its Saint-Julien neighbours. Further modernisation means pesticides and insecticides are no longer used and in 2008, organic viticulture was adopted across one-third of the property.

In the winery

In the winery

An ultra-modern winery welcomed its first grapes during the 2016 harvest. The investment is hoped to bring greater precision with small vats to ferment parcel by parcel: temperature and extraction methods are adjusted to the characteristics of each vat. What's more Beychevelle is now harnessing gravity to move the wines on their journey from berry to bottle. Traditional barrel maturation takes place over 16-18 months with around 50% new oak used for the top wine.

The 2019 Vintage

The 2019 Vintage

A few words from Philippe Blanc, managing director of Château Beychevelle, on the 2019 vintage.

Were there any notable weather events that affected the vines this year?

While we had record temperatures over the summer, the rainfalls in September reduced water stress and balanced sugar levels.

Were there any vintage specific issues or characteristics that affected the blend? How did each of the varieties turn out in 2019?

The exceptional crop allowed us to be very selective - we kept 52 to 53% of the crop which is a pretty high ratio. As always at Château Beychevelle, Merlot is predominant in the blend (49%).

How did you work up to final blend – can you share your process this year?

As always, we work as a team and work on the blend through repeat tasting.

What do you feel has had the biggest effect on the final taste profile of the 2019 vintage?

This vintage has a very good maturity without any excess - not in alcohol content nor in the extraction. Merlot grapes were perfectly ripe and kept their freshness and fruitiness.

How does 2019 compare to other vintages?

This is a difficult question as the millésime keeps maturing. It reminds me of 2016 and 2018. At this stage, it is more appealing than 2017 as it offers more roundness and sweetness, with slightly higher tannin levels.

Read the full report: Bordeaux 2019 A Vintage Preview

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About the producer

With greater care in the vineyard and more precision in the winery, Château Beychevelle's star is rising. That's in large part due to the leadership of Philippe Blanc and investment by current owners, Japanese brewers Suntory and French wine group Castel. Legend has it that in the 17th century, ships sailing past the property lowered their sails as they passed as a mark of respect to the owner, an admiral, the Duke of Épernon. The Gascon term for lower the sails, "becha vela", gives rise to the name Beychevelle.

In The Vineyard

Classified as a Fourth Growth in 1855, this gravel-rich Saint-Julien vineyard boasts approximately 90 hectares under vine. A little over half of the vineyard is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon and the current custodians hope to increase that proportion while reducing the ratio of Merlot. The flesh and juice of the Merlot means that Beychevelle can often be more voluptuous than its Saint-Julien neighbours. Further modernisation means pesticides and insecticides are no longer used and in 2008, organic viticulture was adopted across one-third of the property.

In the winery

An ultra-modern winery welcomed its first grapes during the 2016 harvest. The investment is hoped to bring greater precision with small vats to ferment parcel by parcel: temperature and extraction methods are adjusted to the characteristics of each vat. What's more Beychevelle is now harnessing gravity to move the wines on their journey from berry to bottle. Traditional barrel maturation takes place over 16-18 months with around 50% new oak used for the top wine.

The 2019 Vintage

A few words from Philippe Blanc, managing director of Château Beychevelle, on the 2019 vintage.

Were there any notable weather events that affected the vines this year?

While we had record temperatures over the summer, the rainfalls in September reduced water stress and balanced sugar levels.

Were there any vintage specific issues or characteristics that affected the blend? How did each of the varieties turn out in 2019?

The exceptional crop allowed us to be very selective - we kept 52 to 53% of the crop which is a pretty high ratio. As always at Château Beychevelle, Merlot is predominant in the blend (49%).

How did you work up to final blend – can you share your process this year?

As always, we work as a team and work on the blend through repeat tasting.

What do you feel has had the biggest effect on the final taste profile of the 2019 vintage?

This vintage has a very good maturity without any excess - not in alcohol content nor in the extraction. Merlot grapes were perfectly ripe and kept their freshness and fruitiness.

How does 2019 compare to other vintages?

This is a difficult question as the millésime keeps maturing. It reminds me of 2016 and 2018. At this stage, it is more appealing than 2017 as it offers more roundness and sweetness, with slightly higher tannin levels.

Read the full report: Bordeaux 2019 A Vintage Preview

Interview with Nicolas Audebert – Chief Winemaker at Chateau Rauzan Segla, Chateau Canon and Chateau Berliquet

The Rauzan Segla 2018 has been met with rave reviews. At what point did you feel you had made a special wine? It is a long process in a technician's mind as the picture of the vintage is getting clearer and clearer from the picking to the “dégustations d’assemblage” (blending tastings). Each vintage gives me a particular emotion, the ...

BY Gavin Smith,

ON May 24, 2019

Chateau Latour: The 2012 Release

Just prior to the Coronavirus hitting Europe, Château Latour was preparing to release their 2012 vintage direct from the Château for the first time, but following the lock-down across Europe the release was postponed. We had news from the Château this week that the release is now due out on Wednesday. As we await the release, we explore what makes this ...

BY FINE+RARE,

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"I really have noticed that Beychevelle has raised its game over the last few vintages."

Jane Anson

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Price

2017 Beychevelle

From

£487.00

6x75cl

-

20 Immediate | 139 Marketplace

£487.00

6x75cl

-

£487.00

20 Immediate | 139 Marketplace

2016 Beychevelle

From

£406.00

12x75cl

-

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£811.00

12x75cl

-

£811.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

6x75cl

-

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£406.00

6x75cl

-

£406.00

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2014 Beychevelle

From

£1,133.00

12x75cl

-

9 Immediate | 20 Marketplace

£1,133.00

12x75cl

-

£1,133.00

9 Immediate | 20 Marketplace

2010 Beychevelle

From

£958.00

12x75cl

-

4 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£958.00

12x75cl

-

£958.00

4 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

2009 Beychevelle

From

£936.00

12x75cl

-

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

£936.00

12x75cl

-

£936.00

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

2008 Beychevelle

From

£926.00

12x75cl

-

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£926.00

12x75cl

-

£926.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

12x75cl

-

1 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

£926.00

12x75cl

-

£926.00

1 Immediate | 2 Marketplace

2005 Beychevelle

From

£118.00

Bts

-

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£118.00

Bts

-

£118.00

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

2001 Beychevelle

From

£97.00

Bts

LA
Label: Slightly Bin Soiled

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£97.00

Bts

LA
Label: Slightly Bin Soiled

£97.00

2 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

1982 Beychevelle

From

£2,507.00

12x75cl

-

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£2,507.00

12x75cl

-

£2,507.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

1971 Beychevelle

From

£133.00

Mags

-

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

£133.00

Mags

-

£133.00

1 Immediate | 0 Marketplace

Duty Paid

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