2023 - Beychevelle, Saint-Julien

The 2023 Beychevelle is a dark, brooding wine. Blackberry, gravel, dried herbs, chocolate, menthol and incense stain the palate. Time in the glass brings out the wine's freshness and energy, along with a surprising amount of tension. In many recent vintages, Beychevelle has been quite racy and opulent. The 2023, on the other hand, displays elements of youthful classicism that will require a few years to mellow. I expect it will age gracefully for decades.

Rich damson colour, great texture, some reductive flinty notes. A pretty serious wine, good quality, capsicum, black tea, cigar, liquorice, cassis. Seriously enjoyable.

Rich damson colour, great texture, some reductive flinty notes. A pretty serious wine, good quality, capsicum, black tea, cigar, liquorice, cassis. Seriously enjoyable.

The 2023 Beychevelle has turned out especially well this year, exhibiting a more integrated, seductive style than recent vintages that were constructed in a punchier, more extracted register. Offering up aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notions of pen ink, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a deep core of fruit and a classy, suave profile that foregrounds the estate's prime vineyard holdings on the plateau around Ducru-Beaucaillou. It's a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot that represents 50% of the estate's production.

The 2023 Beychevelle has turned out especially well this year, exhibiting a more integrated, seductive style than recent vintages that were constructed in a punchier, more extracted register. Offering up aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notions of

The 2023 Beychevelle represents 50% of this year's crop. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly and blackcurrant pastilles giving way to an undercurrent of cranberries, crushed rocks, and wild thyme plus a hint of black olives. The light to medium-bodied palate is refreshing and pure, with a slight chewiness to the well-managed tannins, finishing on a savory note. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. This is the highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in Beychevelle ever, following the new plans to include more of this variety.

61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.Floral nose. Elegant texture and tannins. Suave, smooth and fresh. Not quite the depth of a top year but has all the components. (JL)

61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.Floral nose. Elegant texture and tannins. Suave, smooth and fresh. Not quite the depth of a top year but has all the components. (JL)