2022 Chateau Beychevelle, Saint-Julien, France (750ml)

WINEMAKER'S NOTES: 

Ever since it was first produced, and down through the various vintages, Château Beychevelle has reflected the elegance and finesse of Saint Julien's finest terroirs. Graceful and complex, with a tremendous aromatic richness, Château Beychevelle is made from the best plots in the vineyard and undergoes a rigorous selection process .It reveals its character after about ten years, and can be kept for several decades, depending on the vintage.

Blend: 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot

TASTING NOTES:

The 2022 Château Beychevelle comes from 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in barrel. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by an absolutely stunning nose of crème de cassis and plum fruit intermixed with leafy herbs, spring flowers, and crushed stone-like minerality. This full-bodied Beychevelle has a pure, elegant mouthfeel, finely polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. Rating: 97+

- Jeb Dunnuck, 97 pts. 

The 2022 Beychevelle is so impressive. A wine of precision and stature, the 2022 has so much to oer. Inky dark fruit, licorice, mocha and lavender build in a sumptuous, creamy Saint-Julien. All of that intensity mounts through the mid-palate, reaching a stunning crescendo on the explosive, resonant nish. Even with all of its obvious intensity, the 2022 retains a gorgeous sense of freshness and vibrancy.

- Vinous, 96 pts. 

Intense blackberries and blackcurrants with spice and lead-pencil aromas. Medium-bodied, it has creamy and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. The cabernet sauvignon is singing here. 54% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 4% petit verdot.

- James Suckling, 95 pts. 

Supple, rich and velvety. Great delineation of tannins and fruit with creamy blueberries and cola touches alongside savoury elements of dark chocolate, liquorice and salt. Structured, fresh and well worked, this feels sophisticated, focussed and confident. It's missing a touch of acidity, but this has plenty of polish, seduction and potential to age.
Barrel Sample: 95

- Decanter, 95 pts. 

The 2022 Beychevelle has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of ripe berry compote mingled with notions of petals, espresso roast and rich, toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, sweet and fleshy, it's velvety and layered, with plenty of powdery tannin lurking behind its ripe core of fruit. It's a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Fans of contemporary Beychevelle's rich, lusty style will love it.

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 pts. 

Generous in feel, with a delicious wave of warmed plum sauce and crushed blackberry fruit backed by a well-embedded graphite spine, this moves through steadily, letting licorice snap, ink and sweet tobacco notes emerge slowly on the lengthy finish. Rock solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

- Wine Spectator, 94 pts.