2019 Ch. Beychevelle
Saint-Julien 4. Cru Classe

2019 Ch. Beychevelle

Saint-Julien 4. Grand Cru Classe

2019

Bordeaux

Frankrig

OWC/6

94 Points William Kelley RobertParker.com

“Aromas of raspberries, currants, pencil shavings and sweet spices introduce the 2019 Beychevelle, a medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping wine that’s fleshy and seamless, with a generous core of fruit, ripe tannins and succulent acids, concluding with an expansive finish. This is an open-knit, demonstrative Saint-Julien that will offer a broad drinking window. Château Beychevelle is a large landowner, at 250 hectares, but of these only 90 are planted to vines and only 78 located within the Saint-Julien appellation (the rest are in neighboring Cussac). Around 60% of those holdings are located on the plateau between Branaire-Ducru and Ducru-Beaucaillou, and the percentage of Merlot is quite elevated at 40%—though it’s declining, as replanting here favors Cabernet Sauvignon. Since 2008, viticulture has become much less dependent on chemicals. The grand vin itself represents just over half of the production, and in the last decade or so, it has become a touch richer and more structured in style, while retaining the fleshy, charming style that has won the estate so many admirers.