2024, Château Beychevelle, SAINT-JULIEN, Grand Vin

Last year EP $132.00-

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot.

The 2024 Beychevelle was picked from September 24 until October 9 and will mature in 70% new oak. This has a nicely composed, warm and sensual bouquet with plush blackberry, cassis and touches of violet. The 42% Merlot is very expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with, again, quite luxuriant tannins that lend this Beychevelle more comeliness than you would anticipate given the growing season. Perhaps it just misses a little sustain on the finish, but otherwise, this is a fine Saint-Julien. 13.3% alcohol. 91-93 Neal Martin, Vinous (2025).

The 2024 Beychevelle might very well be the wine of the vintage in Saint-Julien. It is certainly among the very best I tasted on the Left Bank. Plush, inky and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2024 is so silky and inviting. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mocha and spice are some of the many notes that stain the palate. The sustained, resonant finish is a thing of beauty. Tasted two times. 95-97 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2025).

Deep ruby cherry colour, this opens with bright plum and blackberry fruits, laced with cloves, white pepper, apple blossom. St Julien signature but the acidity accentuates the tannic grip at this point. Grands Millésimes De France, 41hl/ha yield. 92 Jane Anson, janeanson.com (2025).

Juicy and clean, a good lift and sense of life here. Not heavy or particularly weighty but the tannins have a round and filling mouthfeel, sleek but well textured with a push of ripe blueberries and some strawberry fruit. It stands up in the line up of St-Juliens. Acidity is still there on the finish which is great. Missing a touch more excitement and still some compaction but this ageing should help. Ageing 70% new oak. 3.57pH. 5% press wine (to check). Airpulse and pigeage to do soft extractions. Tasted three times. 92 Georgina Hindle, Decanter (2025).

Drinking Window: 2029 - 2050