Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Julien |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Beychevelle
A strong, solid effort from Beychevelle, the 2012 exhibits a deep ruby/plum color in addition to a sweet perfume of mulberries, black currants, jammy cherries, vanilla and damp earth. With good power and more depth than many Medocs as well as the estate's hallmark finesse and elegance, this excellent, possibly outstanding wine possesses sweet tannin and more mid-palate depth than many of its peers.
Philippe Blanc is a winemaker in the ascendency in Saint Julien and he has crafted some lovely Beychevelle wines recently. The Grand Vin is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot picked from 27 September until 18 October (16 days picking) and it is being raised in 50% new oak. It has a ripe, rounded, quite generous bouquet with floral, crushed violet scents developing in the glass. The palate has quite a surprising grip on the entry. The IPT of 75 makes its mark - there is real backbone to this Beychevelle and it could be one of the longer-lasting Saint Julien wines. Graphite and a touch of dried herbs on the classic finish show that this could be one of the 2012 worth allocating a berth in your cellar. Tasted April 2013.
This shows an outstanding density of fruit with currant, blueberry and raspberry character. Full-bodied, compressed and tight. Fine tannins. Better in 2017.
Melted tannins, plenty of autumnal raspberry puree, blackberry, tobacco leaf and cigar. The fruit feels a breath under full ripeness, but this has signature St Julien finesse at 10 years old.
Particularly dark purple. Minerals and oyster shells on the nose. Then unexpectedly sweet on the palate. Gratingly green on the finish. A bit brutal.
The price is sometimes distorted by the appeal of the Chinese dragon on the label, but this
fourth growth is rarely less than reliable. The 2012 is made in a classic style, with elegant,
leafy fruit, some tobacco spice, refreshing acidity and enough tannin and structure to age.
The freshness of the wine is very attractive.
Drink: 2020-30