2015 Chateau Beychevelle 4. Cru

France / Bordeaux / Medoc / Haut-Medoc / Saint-Julien 4. Cru Rouge

2015 Château Beychevelle 4th Grand Cru Classé: Classical vinification. Ageing for 18 months in barrels, with 50% new oak.

VertdeVin tasting note 95-96/100: "The nose is fruity, elegant, powerful and offers a slightly tight and mid-size grain. It reveals notes of fleshy strawberry, fleshy raspberry and small notes of fleshy cassis associated with touches of fleshy raspberry, hints of violet, incense, cardamom as well as very discreet hints of toasted, Cuben pepper and an imperceptible hint of lily. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful definition, a beautiful chew, freshness, tension, an acidulous frame as well as a beautiful, gourmande, finely tight and silky texture. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy cassis and small notes of fleshy raspberry associated with small touches of juicy red berries, fine hints of juicy/acidulous blueberry, flowers (in the background) as well as very fine hints of toasted, caramelization, chocolate and a subtile hint of caramelized almond. Tannins are elegant, well-built, precise and structuring".
 
Blend:
47% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.
 
Ratings:
Robert Parker Wine Advocate/Neal Martin: 96/100.
VertdeVin: 95-96/100.
Wine Enthusiast: 95/100.
The Wine Independent: 95/100.
Falstaff Magazin: 95/100.
Decanter: 94/100.
James Suckling: 94/100.
The Wine Cellar Insider/Jeff Leve: 96/100.
Vinous/Antonio Galloni: 94/100.
vvWine.ch/Adrian van Velsen: 94/100.
Bettane & Desseauve: 18/20.
 
Château Beychevelle, a prestigious Cru Classé, is a jewel in the crown of the Médoc. Under Henri III, Beychevelle was the fief of the Dukes of Epernon, Jean-Louis Nogaret de la Valette, Admiral and Governor of Guyenne, powerful figure; according to legend, the boats that passed before his Château had to lower their sails as a sign of allegiance. Hence the name Baisse-Voile (lowering of sails), which was to become Beychevelle, and the emblem of the Château, the ship with a prow in the shape of a griffin guarding Dionysus' cellar. Built in the 17th century, reconstructed by the Marquis de Brassier in 1757 and extended by the Heine family at the end of the 19th century, Château Beychevelle has recently been restored to its original splendour. It is today owned by Grands Millésimes de France (Castel and Suntory Groups).