Beychevelle 2017

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Beychevelle has a fragrant, floral nose with warm cassis, preserved plums and Morello cherries plus earth, herbs and cinnamon touches. Medium-bodied, it has lovely expression with firm, fine grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new and 40% second fill. The final blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Fifty-two percent of the production was dedicated to the grand vin, with 240,000 bottles produced. 2022 - 2042

The 2017 Beychevelle was, atypically for the vintage, quite ostentatious from barrel. Not in bottle! It has retained an atypical rich and generous bouquet that you could almost mistake for the following vintage with scents of red cherries, boysenberry, hints of crème de cassis and violet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fine acidity. It feels a little compact at the moment although I admire its focus. Picking at straws, it just feels abrupt on the finish, scrapers out of the exit door a bit too hastily. As such, this is a good Beychevelle, but not one of the best in recent years. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 2022 - 2040

Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Very floral and fragrant fruit. High toned. Succulent entry, quite polished and fleshy. Full array of fruit and fresh, vibrant acidity. The tannins are fine but firm, offering excellent structure against the fruit. This is approachable and easy to like.
Drink 2024 – 2037

Aromas of flowers, berries and light cedar with some milk-chocolate undertones. Medium body. Creamy tannins and a firm, caressing finish. Shows tension and focus. Better after 2022.

This is a fine expression of St-Julien, with extremely pretty aromatics and brambly, juicy black fruits that remain soft and persistent through the palate, with the tiniest hint of acidity tightening the tannins. It's not as expressive as in 2016, but that was exceptional, though this is certainly a wine to recommend in 2017.
Drinking Window 2026 - 2040

Deep crimson with purple rim. Tangy, slightly wild black fruit, more bramble than cassis. Smooth, rounded and rather gentle but still persistent. Supple tannins already, though they may be deceptive.
Drink 2024-2036

2017 was the second vintage to be produced in the impressive new winery here. Yields were good in 2017 but a strict selection process has led to more second wine being produced than is normal. The breakdown of the grand vin is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Bright ruby colour with blueberry, wood smoke and vanilla on the nose, which is open and enticing. The palate is soft, with plush and polished tannins framing a core of cassis fruit and sweet oak flavours. This is not the most profound wine, but it has superb texture and a very moreish flavour profile. The softness suggests it will be drinkable at a younger stage than most St Juliens, which is certainly a good thing in this vintage, to enjoy the floral, juicy purity of the fruit.

The black fruits on the nose are firm and fresh the start of the palate tight but it opens up in the middle with fleshy ripe fruit. Firm at the back the finish is quite tight. Drink 2025-2036.

A super-fragrant Beychevelle with bright Merlot fruit very much in evidence. Lovely and pure and silky, with little aggression on the finish, this is already a very harmonious wine with buoyancy and charm. There is some spice and warmth on the finish, which gives some richness but all in all this is a forward and luscious wine.