2019 Amiral de Beychevelle
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Tasting notes
Showing more intensity and depth than the more gourmet red-fruit dominant 2018, this is an excellent Amiral that is juicy and mouthwatering, with blackberry and brambled fruits, touches of hedgerow, good texture, well balanced, St Julien finesse, approachable now but can easily age another decade. Fresh acidities on the finish, one to look out for, 35% new oak for ageing.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Amiral de Beychevelle has a well-defined bouquet with perfumed blackberry, bilberry and cedar scents, quite focused and demonstrating more precision than its peers. The palate is well balanced with firm tannins, dense black fruit, just a subtle herbal element towards the finish that imparts freshness. (I believe that will assimilate with bottle age). Cellar this for 4-5 years at least. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Tasted blind. Sweet and without real drive. Pleasant, but without great potential for long-term improvement. (JR)
The second wine of this terrific estate located on the southern edge of Saint-Julien, the 2019 Amiral De Beychevelle sports a dense purple hue to go with ripe black (and some blue) fruits, notes of tobacco leaf, cedar, and damp earth, medium-bodied richness, and a plush, round, sexy mouthfeel. It's beautifully balanced and well worth drinking.
About the producer
With greater care in the vineyard and more precision in the winery, Ch. 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.