Appellations

Beychevelle 2021

St Julien, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2021 Beychevelle has a pleasant, light bouquet that needs coaxing from the glass, eventually offering blackberry, briar, peppermint and sage aromas. The oak here is neatly integrated, though it does not possess the dimension of the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a firm grip on the entry. The Cabernet Sauvignon is fully in the driving seat here, imparting quite intense blackberry and graphite notes. As with many Saint-Julien barrel samples, a Pauillac-like structure comes through. The licorice-tinged finish is fresh and focused. This is quite an endearing Beychevelle after the challenging growing season.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2050 Date: 13 May 2022

The 2021 Beychevelle has a pleasant, light bouquet that needs coaxing from the glass, eventually offering blackberry, briar, peppermint and sage aromas. The oak here is neatly integrated, though it does not possess the dimension of the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a firm grip on the entry. The Cabernet Sauvignon is fully in the driving seat here, imparting quite intense blackberry and graphite notes. As with many Saint-Julien barrel samples, a Pauillac-like structure comes through. The licorice-tinged finish is fresh and focused. This is quite an endearing Beychevelle after the challenging growing season.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2050 Date: 01 May 2022

Pleasantly fragrant with floral and dark-fruit notes. Juicy and ripe on the palate. Less flesh and concentration than top years but fruit present and tannins finely honed. Clean, persistent finish.

Score: 16+ James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2027-2038 Date: 11 May 2022

The 2021 Beychevelle is rich and sumptuous, but not quite as pushed in that direction as some recent vintages have been. Then again, that sort of opulence was simply not possible in 2021. Even so, the 2021 flows with dark blue/purplish fruit, incense, espresso, mocha, menthol and licorice. All the elements are so well balanced. The 2021 is a terrific Beychevelle with a bright future.

Score: 92 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2031-2046 Date: 11 May 2022

The 2021 Beychevelle is rich and sumptuous, but not quite as pushed in that direction as some recent vintages have been. Then again, that sort of opulence was simply not possible in 2021. Even so, the 2021 flows with dark blue/purplish fruit, incense, espresso, mocha, menthol and licorice. All the elements are so well balanced. The 2021 is a terrific Beychevelle with a bright future.

Score: 92 - 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2031-2046 Date: 01 May 2022

Silky and well textured fruits, with gentle build through the palate and a carefully constructed balance of raspberry and redcurrant fruit and fresh acidity that comes through in lemongrass and a raspy slate texture. Not easy to achieve this in 2021, will have needed careful sorting and plot by plot work in vineyard and cellar. The firm frame is a little austere, but there is finesse here, gentle campfire smoke.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2026-2040 Date: 11 May 2022

Silky and well textured fruits, with gentle build through the palate and a carefully constructed balance of raspberry and redcurrant fruit and fresh acidity that comes through in lemongrass and a raspy slate texture. Not easy to achieve this in 2021, will have needed careful sorting and plot by plot work in vineyard and cellar. The firm frame is a little austere, but there is finesse here, gentle campfire smoke.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com Date: 07 April 2022

Blueberry and some chocolate and berry character. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh, medium finish.

Score: 91 - 92 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 May 2022

The 2021 Beychevelle is a strong effort, exhibiting aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with cigar wrapper and fresh mint. Medium to full-bodied, bright and fine-boned, it's deep and layered, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. This wine only improved over the five times I tasted it.

Score: 91 - 94 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 29 April 2022

From the southern edge of the appellation and a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it sports a vivid purple hue to go with terrific aromatics of darker fruits, tobacco, roasted coffee, and loamy earth. This round, medium-bodied, plump, forward, yet undeniably delicious 2021 is going to drink nicely right out of the gate. Harvest here spanned from the September 27 to October 8, and the wine will spend 18 months in roughly 70% new French oak.

Score: 91 - 94 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 06 February 2022