33250 St Julien, Beychevelle, France
Tel: +33 (0)5 56 73 20 70 Fax: +33 (0)5 56 73 20 71

A nice chance to try a vertical of four vintages. A large (90 ha) property, this fourth growth St Julien has enjoyed a good reputation of late. The 1999 was the least impressive; the other three vintages were all extremely attractive in their differing styles.

Château Beychevelle 1999
Deep coloured. Bright, fruity nose with some caramel-like elements. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy, primary fruit. A bit of tannin. Nice, but a little bit simple. Very good

Château Beychevelle 1998
A well balanced claret. There's a nice smoky complexity to the nose, with some mineralic character. Elegant, well balanced palate with some minerally complexity to the ripe fruit. Good acidity and a slightly tannic finish. Very good/excellent

Château Beychevelle 1997
Ripe, open nose with a chalky, mineral edge to it, and slightly leafy cassis fruit. Almost Loire-like palate with chalky tannins and great balance. A delicious lighter style. Drinking brilliantly now. Very good/excellent

Château Beychevelle 1991
Starting to fade at the rim, with a lovely, open evolved nose. There's a real sweetness to the fruit. Great balance on the palate: still plenty of life and a touch of tannin. Quite fruity. Complex stuff, drinking really well now. Very good/excellent