Château Beychevelle, 4eme Cru Classé, St Julien 2022 [in bond ex vat] (6 x 75cl) en primeur landing Spring 2025

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

6 x 75cl * 14.5% ABV * St Julien, Medoc, France

The 4th growth Château Beychevelle sits on the main road in St. Julien, its vineyards stretching north towards Ducru-Beaucaillou. Ships passing by on the Gironde used to honour long time owner the Duc d'Eperon, who was Grand Admiral of France, by lowering their sails ('Baisse Voile'). From this tradition came the name Beychevelle.

Veteran winemaker Philippe Blanc declared himself ‘very happy’ with his 2022 – from such a humble man that is quite an admission. In this heartland of Cabernet Sauvignon, Beychevelle is unique for its high percentage of Merlot plantings. This varietal provides a textural quality and plumpness to the mid-palate in the 2022 vintage. This has a natural, unforced style; detailed, measured and in total harmony. It may not be one of the blockbusters of the vintage, but it will undoubtedly rank amongst the most charming – a really refined and classy Beychevelle.

"Silky and supple fruit and texture, this is impressive, with carefully built architecture, and clear ageing potential. Conveys the creamy ripe fruits of the vintage but sets them in a serious tannic frame, with bitter chocolate and slate character. Heat climbs on the finish, but the St Julien fresh mint leaf signoff comes in to keep things balanced. 36hl/h yield, 60% new oak." 93 points, Jane Anson (May 2023)

"I was able to taste the 2022 Château Beychevelle on multiple occasions, and it never failed to impress me. Based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that will see 18 months in 70% new oak, it's one of those wines that makes you stop and say "wow" due to its purity, depth, and texture. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as lots of blueberry and black cherry fruits, it's full-bodied and has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, building yet gorgeous tannins, and subtle background notes of crushed violets, flowers, and graphite. This is a sensational effort from director Philippe Blanc." 95-97+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (May 2023)

"Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and cassis mingled with hints of violets and licorice, framed by creamy new oak, the 2022 Beychevelle is medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with a fleshy core of fruit framed by rich, unusually suave and polished tannins in the context of recent vintages at this address. It's a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, with a pH of 3.85, quite typical for this address." 92-94 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (April 2023)

“The 2022 Beychevelle is fabulous. In most recent vintages Beychevelle has been a flamboyant, extravagant Saint-Julien, but in 2022 is its surprisingly vibrant and fresh, almost shockingly so. Ripe red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange, rose petal and spice are all beautifully delineated. More than anything, I admire the wine’s freshness and drive, qualities that have not often been present in recent vintages. That makes the 2022 one of my favorite recent vintages here. Tasted three times." 94-96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Drinking window: 2025 - 2048

Please note prices are in-bond and exclude VAT and duty, which are payable when the wines land in-store which will be spring/ summer 2025.