Chateau Beycheville Tasting at Wine Watch

Chateau Beycheville Tasting with Winemaker Philippe Blanc March, 7th 3-5pm Tasting Wines: Grand Bateau Blanc Bordeaux AOC 2011 Price: $12.75 Sale $11.22 Case $130 A blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc AOC Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2008 Price: $22.50 Sale $19.80 Case $230 Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc AOC Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2009 Price: $26.25 Sale $23.10 Case $268 Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc AOC Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2009 Magnum Price: $57.25 Sale $50.38 Case $292 Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc AOC Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2001 Price: $27.00 Sale $23.76 Case $276 Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc AOC Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2002 Price: $27.00 Sale $23.76 Case $276 Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc AOC Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2005 Price: $29.50 Sale $25.96 Case $301 Amiral de Beychevelle 2nd wine of Chateau Beychevelle St. Julien AOC 2009 375ml Price: $24.50 Sale $21.56 Case $500 Amiral de Beychevelle 2nd wine of Chateau Beychevelle St. Julien AOC 2009 Price: $49.00 Sale $43.12 Case $500 Amiral de Beychevelle 2nd wine of Chateau Beychevelle St. Julien AOC 2009 Magnum Price: $98.00 Sale $86.24 Case $500 Amiral de Beychevelle 2nd wine of Chateau Beychevelle St. Julien AOC 2009 3 Liter Price: $292.50 Sale $257.40 Chateau Beychevelle 4th Growth of St. Julien 2010 Price: $137.50 Sale $121.41 Case $1403 (90-92 Points) Flowery blueberry, red and black currant fruit notes intermixed with a hint of damp earth emerge from this wine’s moderate aromatics. Elegant with medium body as well as a classic Beychevelle style with high tannins and a more restrained structure, the elevated tannins suggest 7-8 years of cellaring will be necessary. It should keep for 25-30 years thereafter. Wine Advocate #194, May 2011 Chateau Beychevelle 4th Growth of St. Julien 2009 Price: $148.75 Sale $130.90 Case $1518 (93 Points) The finest Beychevelle since the 2003 and probably since the 1982, Beychevelle’s 2009 is opaque purple in color, with a beautiful, floral nose intermixed with black currant fruit, licorice, cedar wood and Christmas fruitcake. Full-bodied yet still elegant and pure, this wine has velvety tannins, a broad, savory mouthfeel, and a very long finish. There is plenty of tannin behind the extravagant fruit, glycerin and texture of this wine, but it is largely concealed. This wine could actually turn out to be even better than my relatively conservative tasting note. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2042. Wine Advocate #199 Feb 2012 Chateau Beychevelle 4th Growth of St. Julien 2005 Price: $205.00 Sale $180.40 Case $2091 (90 Points) While this is a strong effort from a property that too often does not live up to its pedigree, I had hoped the 2005 Beychevelle would merit an even higher score. A deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sweet perfume of roasted herbs, black cherries, and even blacker fruits. The wine is medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, good acidity, and a fruitcake-like spiciness and earthiness. Pure and long with a tannic clout that is neither intrusive nor excessive, this elegant, powerful effort should be at its finest between 2017-2030. Wine Advocate #176 Apr 2008 Chateau Beychevelle 4th Growth of St. Julien 2003 Price: $237.00 Sale $208.56 Case $2417 (90 Points) Given the performance of this somewhat mystifying but beautifully situated estate in St.-Julien, we might be seeing a resurrection in quality, or at least much more consistency. A beauty in an up-front, supple, sexy style is the generous and savory, dark ruby /plum-colored 2003 Beychevelle. Medium to full-bodied with loads of fruit and glycerin, it is much more approachable than usual, but also generously proportioned and exceptionally well-balanced. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022. Wine Advocate #164 Apr 2006 Chateau Beychevelle 4th Growth of St. Julien 1995 Price: $237.00 Sale $208.56 Case $2417 (89 Points) Well-crafted red. Vivid blackberry and violet aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and very silky, with lovely tannins and a medium aftertaste of fruit and toasted oak. Best after 2000. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Jan 31, 1998 Chateau Beychevelle 4th Growth of St. Julien 1989 Price: $272.00 Sale $239.36 Case $2775 (93 Points) There is so much tobacco and red fruit on the nose of this wine. Exotic and decadent. Full-bodied, with a sleek and racy tannin structure and fresh acidity. Refreshing and clean, yet mature and wild. Still one of the big surprises of the vintage.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now. 25,000 cases made. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2010