Château Beychevelle, 4ème Cru Classé, St Julien, 2021

Soft ruby rose in colour, fresh acidities, this is clearly a challenging vintage, well handled with gentle and fine tannic frame, raspberry and redcurrant fruits, clear tobacco leaf and smoked earth, edges of tumeric and cumin, should soften a little over the next few years, but honestly no great need to wait, this has St Julien balance and charm, and perhaps the earlier the better to make the most of those qualities, 60% new oak.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2038

date of review 06/2024

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Beychevelle has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs plenty of swirling to coax out notes of ripe blackcurrants, Bing cherries, and juicy strawberries, giving way to nuances of forest floor, mossy tree bark, and tapenade. The light-bodied palate has delicately played red and black fruits that match its ethereal weight, supported by silky tannins and great tension, finishing long and fragrant. Pretty!

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2038

date of review 04/2024

The 2021 Beychevelle, incidentally the final vintage to contain Cabernet Franc according to Philippe Blanc, is still a little tight on the nose after bottling in June, but, it has a wonderful sense of purity and delineation. The Cabernet Sauvignon is very expressive here, so much so that you might think there was around 75% in the blend, rather than 57%. There's a hint of crushed violet in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, and harmonious with fine sapidity. This is more austere than recent vintages, as you might expect, and perhaps not as long in the mouth, but I appreciate the Pauillac-like graphite note that surfaces with aeration. There is a convincing sense of classicism in this Beychevelle, and it should age with style.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2050

date of review 02/2024