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Château Beychevelle

Château Beychevelle is one of the Médoc's finest constructions, an 18th century affair built in the style of Louis XV. The estate lies at the south-eastern tip of the St Julien commune, close to the town of Beychevelle, with near neighbours including Château St Pierre and Château Gloria. Its regal demeanour and luxuriant flowerbeds are fine viewed either from the road or from the Gironde, which is less than a mile away to the east.

The origins of the estate are ancient and lie in the seigneurie of Lamarque, this being one of the locations Of the numerous fortified houses that lined the Gironde. In the early 15th century it was in the hands of the de Grailly family, passing from them in 1446 to the Foix-Candale family, who also owned Château d'Issan. Under the tenure of this family the property was known as the Château de Médoc. In 1587 the land and property came into the hands of the Duc d'Epernon, Jean-Louis Nogaret de la Valette, when he married the heiress to the estate, Marguerite de Foix-Candale. It is said that it was this duke that was responsible for the renaming of the estate as Beychevelle. As well as ruling the locals with an iron rod as Governor of Guyenne, the Duke also became an admiral of the French navy, and French ships sailing on the Gironde - of which there must have been many, Bordeaux being a significant port - were required to lower their sails in respect. This act - baisse voile in French, bacha velo in the Gascon tongue - led to the name Beychevelle. It's a fanciful story, one that bestows some honour on Nogaret, and unsurprisingly there are doubts about its authenticity. After all, it seems likely that ships would lower sails as they approached the port of Bordeaux anyway, regardless of the presence of a nearby château-dwelling admiral.

With the passing of time both the estate and the title was passed to the next generation, and it was the son Bernard that became the next Duc d'Epernon. Like his father before him he paid little interest in in viticulture at the estate, and when he died in 1642 he left behind him a handsome collection of unpaid debts. In order to satisfy the demands of his creditors, his estate was sold off. What was to become Château Beychevelle was purchased by the Duc de Rendan, before passing to the Abbadie family who seemed to continue the theme of neglect, although it was probably under their direction that the vineyard was established. Nevertheless they also sold the estate, this time the new owner was Marquis François-Etienne de Brassier. The marquis was responsible for today's fine château, completing in 1757 a reconstruction and development of what previous owners had erected during the previous century. He also reunited much of the estate, purchasing parcels of land which had been sold off after the Duc d'Epernon's death, and had a healthy interest in horticulture and viticulture. The former is evidenced by the fine gardens, on which every visitor seems to comment, and the latter by the construction of a vat house during his tenure.

François-Etienne was succeeded by his son François-Arnaud, and their descendants held control of the château through the Revolution in the late 18th century, although without doubt the family and the estate suffered at this time. A large portion was cleaved off and purchased by a gentleman named Bergeron, who also owned Ducru-Beaucaillou, others gradually being lost to viticulture, some were absorbed into Saint-Pierre, and some portions were alluvial pasture that do not interest us. What was left remained with the Brassier family, although when François-Arnaud killed a man in a duel he was forced to flee the country, and it appeared the estate would be sequestered. This was prevented, however, by his sister, who claimed the estate as her own, before promptly selling it on to Jacques Conte in 1800, who then sold it to Pierre-François Guestier, mayor of St Julien, in 1825. It was Guestier, who also managed Langoa and Léoville-Barton during the absence of Hugh Barton, who held tenure as the property was ranked as a fourth growth in the 1855 classification. He subsequently sold the property in 1874 to Armand Heine, and then by marriage of his daughter Marie-Louise it passed to the wealthy Achille-Fould family - descendants of the Napoleonic finance minister Achille Fould - who oversaw the running of the estate through much of the 20th century. Neither Guestier nor three generations of Achille-Foulds are credited with dramatic improvement in quality of the wine, which was generally regarded as underperforming. In 1984, however, a large number of shares in the estate were sold to Grands Millésimes de France (GMF), the French Civil Servants' Pension Fund. GMF subsequently bought all the remaining shares, and sold 40% on to Japanese group Suntory, who had already purchased nearby Château Lagrange in 1983. With new ownership came new investment, and in recent vintages this has been evident as improved quality in the finished product.

The deep Garonne gravel vineyards at Beychevelle currently account for 90 ha of the 250 ha estate, planted with 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Average vine age is 25 years, planted at 10000 vines/ha. Fermentation is temperature controlled, staying below 30ºC, and is followed by a period of eighteen months in oak, of which 50% is new each year. The wine is fined but not filtered. The grand vin is Château Beychevelle (typically 25000 cases per annum), there is a second wine Amiral de Beychevelle (typically 12500 cases per annum), as well as an AC Haut-Médoc made from a few vineyard plots bordering St Julien, Brulières de Beychevelle. In the 20th these wines have not been held in high repute by those knowledgeable about the commune of St Julien. Lack of investment, lack of interest, poor selection and high yields resulted in disappointing wines. The 1993, although from a difficult vintage, typified this; in the past few decades only the 1989 revealed a little of what Beychevelle may be capable of, the wine comparable with many other from Beychevelle's neighbours that year. But with investment from GMF and Suntory I feel that change, for the better, is afoot. The 2000, 2001 and 2004 vintages are good evidence of this, although the 2002 and 2003 suggest to me that there is still room for improvement. (8/3/05, updated 28/2/07)

Contact details:
Address: Château Beychevelle, 33250 Saint-Julien-Beychevelle
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 56 73 20 70
Fax: +33 (0) 5 56 73 20 71
Internet: www.beychevelle.com
GPS: 45.145047, -0.734936

Château Beychevelle - Tasting Notes

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Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2010: This wine is led by Cabernet Sauvignon at 54%, followed Merlot at 38%, Cabernet Franc at 5% and Petit Verdot at 3%; that is a fairly high percentage of Merlot, higher than most within the commune. A vibrant and glossy hue on inspection, with a wide pink-crimson rim. An unusual nose, rather smoky and meaty, with some toasty elements, perhaps all oak-derived? On the palate it seems very soft at first, then in the middle displaying better, more vibrant acidity. The tannins begin quite well hidden, but on subsequent tastes it is clear there is a lot of tannin here, but also a lot of fruit and flesh. Fairly vigorous in style. Top-heavy fruit too though, but it is freshened by the crisp acidity. From my Bordeaux 2010 primeurs assessment. 16.5-17.5/20 (April 2011)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2009: Some fine-grained oak elements here, bringing a little hint of caramel to the aromatics, over some soft and slightly perfumed red fruits. There are some darker fruit elements too. Quite a convincing substance at first, allowing in some chalky tannins in the midpalate, giving this wine more evident structure than some in the middle. There is good acidity too. Overall, although it has slightly more evident structure and quite a spicy midpalate character, there is a good sense of harmony to it. The finish is lightly bitter and savoury, which I like. This is fresh and convincing. From a tasting of 2009 Bordeaux at two years of age. 16.5/20 (October 2011)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2009: A dark and concentrated layer of fruit on the nose, sweet and somewhat confit in character, but very dark. Rather bold alcohol on the palate, firmly structured, piles of grippy tannins and extract here, although it does have good acidity too. It has a good presence of grip at least, but to my palate the whole package tastes a little overdone. From my 2009 Bordeaux primeur assessment. 15-16+/20 (March 2010) 

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2008: Dark and rather smoky nose, a honeyed oak quality, a good depth of fruit, dark and even a little brooding despite the evident polish to it. The quality comes through on the palate too though, where there are dark berries in abundance along with a firm layer of sooty tannin. Good substance but with a rather loose-knit composition although this will come together with time. Firm and tannic finish. From a tasting of 2008 Bordeaux at two years of age. 17.5+/20 (October 2010)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2008: A lovely nose, aromatic and fresh, and just a little toasty. Fresh on the palate too, with a fine, cool, purity of fruit. Stylish, minerally and textured, with fairly dense but crisp fruit, all well balanced. Gently supple, with lovely underlying structure. A real success here. From my 2008 Bordeaux primeur assessment. 17-18+/20 (April 2009)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2007: A slightly meaty and stewed character to the fruit on the nose here, lacking the freshness and brightness of the vintage. The palate feels quite solid but there is a nice, bright style of fruit struggling to emerge through the midpalate. Rather stolid in terms of composition, there is a light chewiness to the texture of the wine, largely influenced by some rather meaty tannins coming in at the edges. The acidity is there, but it all feels a bit chewy and robust. This one will need time; nothing is particularly out of kilter - there is enough weight there for those tannins - so it could come good. From a 2007 Bordeaux tasting at four years of age. 15/20 (November 2011)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2007: A slightly meaty nose here, fairly light fruit admittedly, with an aromatic, crunchy cherry style. A very firm outer shell on the palate, more crunchy fruit here, a light and supple style. Little flesh, defined cranberry and cherry fruit. A short finish, where the tannins show. It reflects the vintage but it has harmony. This is a good effort. From a tasting of 2007 Bordeaux at two years of age. 15.5+/20 (October 2009)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2007: This has attractive fruit on the nose, which is open and expressive. There is a moderate weight on the palate, a nice and gently composed structure, although there is a grittiness to it. Overall, this has good structure and also some potential. From my 2007 Bordeaux en primeur assessment. 15-16+/20 (April 2008)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2005: Pure and gravelly fruit here, although it has a rather warm and loose feel to it. Elegant and certainly unforced though. This feeling comes through on the palate as well which has a soft and gentle start, and a slightly juicy character through the middle, where there are some nice red fruit notes although they do have a slightly confected edge. The tannins and grip are nicely hidden beneath though. This certainly has harmony and a very gentle feel to it all. Good acids. It should all come together very nicely given time. From a 2005 Bordeaux tasting at four years of age. 16.5-17+/20 (November 2009)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2005: Very deep, pure fruit here, with exotic perfumed violets and white pepper. This has plenty of interest to offer! Pure, a little lighter in style than some, a lifted character, with cherry and cranberry freshness of fruit. A great acid backbone, nicely defined, with an elegant, well composed style. A very fine Beychevelle indeed. From my tasting of 2005 Bordeaux at two years of age. 17+/20 (October 2007)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2004: An exotic nose of nutty oak and dark fruit presented in a very distinctive style. The palate has plenty of attractively presented fruit carried along by a creamy, rounded, softly caressing style. Ripe tannins, correct acidity, not a great impact but very nicely assembled though. From my 2004 Bordeaux assessment. 16.5+/20 (October 2006)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2003: Ripe, pressed blackcurrant nose, with a suggestion of creamy white chocolate. Ripe, restrained, but succulent and appealing. Plenty of elegantly styles fruit. Firm tannin, firm acidity too, altogether nice structure, texture a little creamy. Not quite the substance I might have hoped for. But should drink well. From my 2003 Bordeaux assessment. 15.5+/20 (October 2005)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2002: CS 57%, M 30%, CF 9%, PV 4%. A good, aromatic nose, opening out well in the glass to reveal some nutty, oak-influenced fruit. Balanced, elegant palate, with good level of fruit and moderate concentration. Clean, good ripe tannins. This is good, although not offering what was found in the previous two vintages. 15.5+/20 (November 2004)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2001: A lovely depth of dark, macerated fruit on the nose, still showing the nuttiness of oak. A very impressive although youthful character. Gentle structure on the palate, very supple and silky, with integrating tannins, and a decent presence of fruit. Nice, gentle grip. Really rather good, and will drink very nicely in four to five years time. 16.5+/20 (November 2005)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2001: CS 54%, M 39%, PV 7%. A good nose, of exotic dark fruits, a little more open and currently seductive than the 2000. Seamless, balanced palate with correct acidity and ripe tannins. Good fruit; positively silky texture. Another very good 2001 - a vintage that has a lot to offer, I think. Needs five to six years. 16.5+/20 (November 2004)

Amiral de Beychevelle (St Julien) 2001: CS 68%, M 20%, CF 12%. A decent nose, with some nice fruit on the palate. Balanced, with appropriate weight and concentration of flavour. A low level of tannins gives a little structure. This is very good for a second wine, and will improve in the short-term. 15+/20 (November 2004)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 2000: CS 49%, M 38%, CF 7%, PV 6%. Lots of colour here. Somewhat closed on the nose now, but there is evidence of dense, dark and exotic fruits. Full, fat richness, with creamy edged fruit draped over a tannic backbone. A fine and impressive wine which has a very good future. This needs eight to ten years yet. 16.5+/20 (November 2004)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 1993: No information on blend available. Mature hue. Unusual nose; salty seaweed, just a touch of meaty maturity. Lean, dilute palate which lacks impact, leading to a short finish. Still has a little tannin in the background, but I can find nothing else more positive to say. 12.5/20 (November 2004)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 1989: This has a classic nose, full and rich, still with plenty of fruit. An elegant structure is evident on the palate, which has fine tannins and well balanced acidity. Impressive amount of fruit keeping this wine going. Absolutely lovely. From a Bordeaux 1989 horizontal tasting. 18/20 (January 2002)

Château Beychevelle (St Julien) 1970: Served blind. Pure and aromatic on the nose, elegant and stylish, very meaty but bright too. Elegant, stony, perfumed, gravelly, a little note of crushed seashells which I usual take as a sign of a reasonable amount of bottle age. Clean but certainly substantial on the palate, amazingly meaty, pure and perfumed, with sappy-stony fruit like that on the nose. Grippy, but balanced, this is delicious wine. This is one of just a small handful of clarets I have tasted from this vintage - the year I was born - and on the whole they have been very good indeed. 18/20 (March 2009)