Château Beychevelle Saint-Julien 2020 - 4ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

This magnificent estate, boasting some of the Médoc's most elegant architecture, has long been dubbed "the little Versailles". It bears the name of Admiral de Beychevelle, Governor of Guyenne under Henri III. Owned by the family of Aymar-Achille Fould, General de Gaulle's minister, it was acquired in the late 2000s by the Castel and Suntory groups. The new winery and the resources given to the excellent director Philippe Blanc have enabled this château - famous in Asia and the rest of the world, which explains its high prices - to fully express one of the finest terroirs in the Médoc. Aristocratic aromas and texture, lovely suppleness linked to the appellation's best Merlots, but with the freshness and well-marked cedar character of the area's Cabernets. The 2016 will go down in history.

Decanter

About the wine:

Fragrant with violet tones, almost a touch of fruit liqueur on the nose, aromatic with hints of dark chocolate too. Bright and shiny, this wine is elegant, quite delicate in texture, but has layers of savory elements - licorice, clove, tobacco with bright red fruit and black bramble fruit. It's clean and compelling. Well-made and confident. So full, juicy and seductive, this wine is deeply perfumed, powerful and austere, yet perfectly balanced so as not to be too heavy. Refreshing yet devilishly charming, it leaves a clean sensation in the mouth that makes you want to taste it again. 2026-2046

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

The "Versailles of Bordeaux". Beychevelle is a jewel of classical architecture. Its prestige also comes from the powerful families who once owned it. Its name derives from a great French admiral, the Duc d'Épernon under Henri III, who demanded that ships passing his château "lower their sails" as a sign of allegiance. Born in the 17th century and developed in the 18th century, the 90-hectare vineyard has evolved considerably, which explains why it is now spread throughout the AOC. In 2017, it acquired a new winery designed by Arnaud Boulain. Owned since 2011 by the Suntory and Castel groups, it is managed by Philippe Blanc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2020 vintage displays remarkable brilliance, imposing its elegant, silky yet very persistent and intense substance. Beautiful finish with polished, integrated tannins.

About the domain :

Since 2011, this emblematic Saint-Julien estate has been owned half by Pierre Castel and half by the Japanese Suntory group. It enjoys an excellent reputation, consistently producing elegant wines that are always easy to digest. Without being the most demonstrative, they also age very well. Like many Médoc crus, the château has brought its winemaking facilities up to date, and seems to be making further progress in the precision of its wines.

Wine Enthusiast

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Beychevelle 2020 has a wild, exotic beauty. Blackberry jam, gravel, crushed stone, menthol and espresso ristretto give Beychevelle its flamboyant personality. All the elements are so well balanced in this spirited and extremely enjoyable Saint-Julien. The 2020 is breathtaking. 2030-2055

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A heady, fragrant bouquet with precise, shimmering aromas reminiscent of summer meadows. Notes of ferns and tea leaves are also present. This is followed by a limpid, voluptuous and alluring palate, with a density of fruit that gains in sweetness. A harmonious, powerful whole that finishes in splendor, revealing spicy, chocolate notes in a silky finish. A great wine. 2031-2051

Yves Beck

About the wine:

When a wine reveals notes of grape marc, one can attach a certain logic to it... and yet it's not that common! At the same time, Beychevelle reveals nuances of cherries, violets and Sichuan pepper... so we're reassured! And to top it all off, there are notes of cedar and graphite. The freshness of the Cabernet Sauvignon is a lifesaver, as it often is in hot, dry years. The wine also stands out for its ability to place finesse and power on an equal footing; the fine-grained tannins provide a good backbone and a vigor capable of carrying the wine through several decades. 2027-2047

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, complex and offers a certain richness (in finesse/delicacy) and subtlety. There are notes of fresh/ripe raspberry, bright red berries and, to a lesser extent, blackcurrant, combined with hints of violet, racy minerality, flowers, star anise and hints of pepper. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, freshness, minerality, tension, elegance and delicacy, a little tightness, tension, a certain richness that is justly mastered, a very fine acidic structure, an airy touch in the management of the material and in the balance. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fresh/puffy raspberry, bright red berries and, more lightly, violet, combined with hints of blackcurrant, fresh violet plum, nutmeg, chocolate, lily/lilac, cardamom, and discreet hints of toast, sweet spices and hazelnut. Good length. The tannins are racy, elegant and mellow. A lovely wine! Nice sapidity and suavity on the finish/persistence.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The nose opens with a magnificent palette of flowers, chocolate, tobacco, blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, damp forest floor and espresso. As good as the perfume is, the wine stands out for its layers of ripe red fruit, creamy, fresh and sweet on the palate. The wine is full-bodied, elegant and refined, with length and purity to crown it all. This wine should age effortlessly for three decades, yet drink well relatively early. Drink between 2025 and 2060.