Château Beychevelle 2016 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Its complexity and refinement place it at the top of its appellation for this vintage; with supple, long-lasting, fresh tannins, it is undoubtedly the château’s finest wine in half a century.

About the estate:

This magnificent estate, boasting some of the most elegant architecture in the Médoc, has long been nicknamed “Little Versailles.” It bears the name of Admiral de Beychevelle, governor of Guyenne under Henry III. Owned by the family of Aymar-Achille Fould, a minister under General de Gaulle, it was subsequently acquired in the late 2000s by the Castel and Suntory groups. The new winery and the resources provided to the excellent director Philippe Blanc have enabled this château—famous in Asia and around the world, which explains its high prices—to fully express one of the Médoc’s finest terroirs. Aristocratic aromas and texture, lovely suppleness characteristic of the appellation’s finest Merlots, yet with the freshness and distinct cedar notes of the region’s Cabernets. The 2016 vintage will go down in history.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

The “Versailles of Bordeaux.” Beychevelle is a little gem of classical architecture. Its prestige also stems from the powerful families who once owned it. Its name is said to derive from a Grand Admiral of France, the Duke of Épernon under Henry III, who demanded that ships passing in front of his château “lower their sails” as a sign of allegiance. Established in the 17th century and expanded in the 18th, its vineyard (90 ha) has evolved significantly, which explains its current dispersion throughout the AOC. In 2017, it acquired a new winery designed by Arnaud Boulain. Owned since 2011 by the Suntory and Castel groups, it is managed by Philippe Blanc.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2016 Beychevelle [...] spent 18 months aging in a blend of 50% new and 50% second-use barrels. Medium to deep garnet in color, it opens slowly at first, revealing subtle savory notes of dried herbs, cured meats, and black olives before revealing a deep core of warm blackcurrant, cooked black plums, redcurrant jelly, and candied violets. The palate is medium-bodied, with tight nuances and fantastic freshness, finishing with a savory length. This latent beauty will require a little more time than most 2016 vintages, but it promises to deliver a great deal to those willing to wait.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2016 vintage has superb structure, a supple texture, yet plenty of intensity. The wine builds in complexity and delivers a vibrant, caressing finish.

About the estate:

Since 2011, this iconic Saint-Julien estate has been owned equally by Pierre Castel and the Japanese group Suntory. It enjoys an excellent reputation, consistently producing elegant and always easy-drinking wines. While not the most flamboyant, they also age very well. Like many Médoc estates, the château has brought its winemaking facilities up to date and appears to be making further strides in the precision of its wines.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This full-bodied Saint-Julien offers notes of blackcurrant, graphite, and smoke on the nose, with plenty of velvety tannins that lead to a long finish that is at once smooth, fresh, and powdery. Best enjoyed starting in 2022.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Now housed in a brand-new clear glass bottle, this wine truly showcases its elegance. While not particularly powerful, it offers a ripe, smooth, and sophisticated texture with notes of dark fruit. It already displays delightful flavors that will continue to improve. Best enjoyed starting in 2025.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

Elegance, sensuality, delicacy, and complexity are guaranteed in this great wine, which is studded with fruity and spicy notes. Remarkably distinguished, supple, and precise, with very fine tannins, it builds to a fresh, endless finish. Elegance, sensuality, delicacy, and complexity are guaranteed in this great wine, which is studded with fruity and spicy notes. Remarkably distinguished, supple, and precise, supported by very fine tannins, it builds to a fresh, endless finish.