Appellations

Beychevelle 2014

St Julien, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2014 Beychevelle has an intense bouquet with macerated small black cherries, bilberry, brine and light oyster shell aromas that just feel a little ostentatious within the context of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, quite elegant in style, the acidity well judged with a crisp, silky smooth mixture of black and blue fruit to the finish. It leans slightly to the more modern style of winemaking but it is very well pulled off and it has the matière to suggest long-term ageing. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Score: 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2040 Date: 01 March 2018

The 2014 Beychevelle has a very comely, pure bouquet with heightened dark cherry, blackcurrant and wilted violet scents rendering it almost more Margaux-like than Saint Julien. The palate is medium-bodied, svelte in texture with light tannin. It is a nimble Beychevelle, light on its feet with wonderful freshness and tension towards the finish. This is a very well-crafted wine from Philippe Blanc and his team, a St. Julien that is nimble on its toes.

Score: 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2040 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château Beychevelle 2014 is a blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 51% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. You might notice the high percentage of Merlot. This is because of the flowering, decisions made during blending and the low yield of the Cabernet Sauvignon. It was cropped at 38 hectoliters per hectare between 25 September and 14 October during what the estate recorded as the driest September since 1961. That Merlot governs the aromatics here, the fruit clearly towards the red side of the fruit spectrum: cranberry and wild strawberry, almost Right Bank in style. The palate is ripe and fleshy, nicely defined with tensile tannins. I appreciate the nascent harmony here, with fine precision and a long sustained finish with fine salinity. You could argue that pinning your hopes on Merlot when so many others proselytize Cabernet Sauvignon was a risk however, in this showing it was a risk that was worth taking. "Pomerol does Saint Julien" perhaps? It seems to work on what may be the most seductive Beychevelle for years.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2032 Date: 01 April 2015

A very classical St. Julien that’s got good concentration and real elegance, too. Great black fruits on the nose with subtle oak, and the richness and dry tannins are balanced out beautifully. You could drink it now, but this will age beautifully.

Score: 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

A firm and austere young red now but there's serious fruit and mineral character underneath. Full body, chewy tannins and a long finish.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 23 March 2015

The 2014 Beychevelle is dark, ample and yet also quite nuanced. Blue and purplish stone fruits, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice notes abound in this super-expressive Saint-Julien. There is lovely freshness and vivacity to the flavors, but this is a pretty intense, succulent style. Tasted two times.

Score: 94 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2039 Date: 01 February 2017

A big, powerful wine for the year, the 2014 Beychevelle is going to need quite a bit of time to fully come together. Today, the 2014 is quite bold, with notable concentration and overall intensity. Lavender, mint, spices, cedar and new leather are all nicely delineated. It will be interesting to see if the 2014 fleshes out a bit more from here. Tasted two times.

Score: 90 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015

This has a fleshy feel, with plum and blackberry compote notes driving along thanks to a solid graphite spine. Anise and roasted apple wood on the finish. Best from 2019 through 2030.

Score: 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2019-2030 Date: 05 January 2017

Well-packed, with plum cake, bramble, blueberry patch and anise notes, all allied to a graphite edge on the finish. Racy acidity underscores everything. Rock-solid.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015

Attractively floral on the nose then richness of black fruit in the middle. More structure and concentration than usual with a long dry finish.

Score: 90 - 92 Albany Vintners, - Date: 24 April 2015

Light nose. Sweet start. A little reminiscent of the Haut-Médocs I have just been tasting. Not one of the most energetic or convincing St-Juliens though perfectly serviceable. Just slightly hollow.

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2032 Date: 15 April 2015