Beychevelle 2009

St Julien, Fourth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2009 Beychevelle is easily the best of three vintages tasted at the property alongside the 1989 and 1999. This has a much more fruit-driven bouquet with blackberry, orange blossom, tobacco, hints of girolles and graphite. This is quite complex and engaging. The palate is medium-bodied with fine and lithe tannins plus a well judged line of acidity. I appreciate the freshness and structure to this Beychevelle, especially this bottle that is a little more saline than other examples. This is just beginning to motor but it is much more classic than a few years ago. Tasted at the château.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2040 01 March 2019

Tasted at the château and at the UGC. A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot cropped at 45hl/ha. A deep purple/garnet colour. Clear. Immediately, the nose is very pure with a tangible sense of minerality in the aromatics, not a powerful nose, quite contained, but very focused and speaking of its place. Black fruits, cold granite, a touch of cedar. I like the precision here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a little edgy at first, a nice sense of tension, lightness combined with intensity. Perhaps a more feminine 2009, but that is not meant pejoratively. Very smooth with lively small black cherries, cedar and pencil shavings towards the Cabernet dominated cashmere finish. Good persistency. Excellent. Tasted March 2010.

Score: 93 - 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 31 March 2010

The finest Beychevelle since the 2003 and probably since the 1982, Beychevelle’s 2009 is opaque purple in color, with a beautiful, floral nose intermixed with black currant fruit, licorice, cedar wood and Christmas fruitcake. Full-bodied yet still elegant and pure, this wine has velvety tannins, a broad, savory mouthfeel, and a very long finish. There is plenty of tannin behind the extravagant fruit, glycerin and texture of this wine, but it is largely concealed. This wine could actually turn out to be even better than my relatively conservative tasting note. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2042.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2042 01 March 2012

This is the finest Beychevelle since the 1982. The opaque purple-hued 2009 displays beautiful floral notes intermixed with notions of black raspberries and creme de cassis. The fruit hits the palate with a medium to full-bodied richness, and the wine possesses sweet, velvety tannins, stunning purity, and a layered mouthfeel that builds incrementally, combining power, concentration, density, and elegance. This 2009 should hit its stride in 5-7 years, and last three decades or more. A beauty! (Tasted three times.)

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-45 01 April 2010

Inky purple. Floral aromas of black plum and graphite. Easygoing and fine-grained, with a distinctly cool quality to the blackberry, floral and mint flavors. Pliant in the middle palate but with cedar, floral and herbal notes providing very good lift. Its light touch and suave mouth feel make Beychevelle easy to recognize in a blind tasting with its peers. This attractive wine shows sneaky depth of flavor and finishes with sweet, silky tannins and noteworthy energy. Just misses out on a bit more concentration for a higher score.

Score: 89 - 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2010

Pretty dark crimson right out to the rim. Alluring graphite notes on the nose. Fresh and mild. Not dramatic but neat and pretty. Very sweet but with the tannins in check. Though it will take a little while for them to dissipate. Real juice and concentration though.

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2017 to 2027 01 April 2010

Sweet berry and floral aromas, with a creamy undertone. Full-bodied, with a dense and polished palate, fine tannins and a long finish. Best since 2000?

Score: 90 - 93

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010

46CS 44M 6CF 4PV. Very aromatic with pure red fruits. Good body with nice depth of fruit and spice. Red currants and a vibrant menthol finish. Supple with fine tannins. Attractive wine.

Score: 91 - 93

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010