Château Beychevelle Saint-Julien 2020 - 4ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This magnificent property, boasting one of the most elegant architectural styles in the Médoc region, has long been nicknamed "the little Versailles." It is named after Admiral de Beychevelle, governor of Guyenne under Henry III. Owned by the family of Aymar-Achille Fould, minister under General de Gaulle, it was then acquired in the late 2000s by the Castel and Suntory groups. The new winery and the resources given to the excellent director Philippe Blanc have enabled this château, famous in Asia and the rest of the world, which explains its high prices, to fully express one of the finest terroirs in the Médoc. Aristocratic aromas and texture, lovely suppleness linked to the appellation's best Merlots, but with the freshness and distinct cedar character of the Cabernets from the area. The 2016 will go down in history.

Decanter

About wine:

Scented with violet, almost a hint of fruit liqueur on the nose, aromatic with hints of dark chocolate. Bright and vibrant, this wine is elegant, with a delicate texture, but it has layers of savory elements—licorice, clove, tobacco with bright red fruits and black bramble fruits. Clean and convincing. Well-made and full of confidence. So complete, juicy, and seductive, this wine is deeply fragrant, powerful, and dark, but perfectly balanced to avoid heaviness. Refreshing but devilishly charming, it leaves a sensation of freshness on the palate that makes you want to taste it again. 2026-2046

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

The "Versailles of Bordeaux." Beychevelle is a little gem of classical architecture. Its prestige also comes from the powerful families who owned it. Its name is said to come from a great French admiral, the Duke of Épernon under Henry III, who demanded that ships passing in front of his castle "lower their sails" as a sign of allegiance. Founded in the 17th century and developed in the 18th century, its vineyard (90 hectares) has evolved considerably, 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

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

About wine:

The vintage produces a wine with beautiful brightness, generous fruit, and delicate substance. The whole is complete, balanced, and very classically "Saint-Julien." The silky texture leads to an admirable finish that lingers with freshness.

About the estate:

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

Wine Enthusiast

Vinous

About wine:

Beychevelle 2020 is wild and exotic in its beauty. Blackberry jam, gravel, crushed stone, menthol, and espresso ristretto give Beychevelle its flamboyant personality. All the elements are so well balanced in this spirited and extremely enjoyable Saint-Julien. The 2020 is breathtaking. 2030-2055

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

Château Beychevelle 2020 is a very small selection representing only 55% of the estate's total production. The blend is composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in 70% new French oak, it reaches a natural alcohol content of 13.5%. Surpassing the 2016 and 2018 vintages, this ink-colored Saint-Julien offers a round, opulent, and full-bodied style, as well as magnificent aromas of black cherry, blueberry, loamy earth, chocolate, and spring flowers. This vintage could not be more appealing: delicate tannins, an opulent palate, and fascinating purity and finesse. Although already very enjoyable, it will improve with 4 to 6 years of bottle aging and will keep for over 25 years. 2027-2052

Le Figaro vins

About wine:

On the nose, a purity typical of Beychevelle, with beautiful aromas of fresh blue fruits, wild flowers that will make you swoon, hay, and a spring-like delicacy. On the palate, power, intensity, and complexity unfold in concentric circles, like when you throw a stone into a pond: blackberries, oriental spices, mocha, without any heaviness, with a texture that imposes itself with lightness. 2031-2051

Terre de Vins

About wine:

Expressive nose of violets and wild blackberries, with a lovely overall cohesion and a powerful character. The palate is straightforward and taut, marked by meticulously defined tannins and, above all, underscored by a beautiful, mouthwatering vibrancy. A lovely distinction, very Beychevelle, in a vintage that is not easy to negotiate.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About wine:

The nose opens with a magnificent palette of flowers, chocolate, tobacco, blackcurrant, blackberries, licorice, damp forest floor, and espresso. As good as the aroma is, the wine stands out for its layers of ripe, creamy, fresh, and sweet red fruit on the palate. The wine is full-bodied, elegant, and refined, with length and purity to top it all off. This wine should age effortlessly for three decades, while drinking well relatively early. 2025-2060