Château Beychevelle Saint-Julien 2025 - 4ème Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This magnificent estate, boasting some of the most elegant architecture in the Médoc, has long been nicknamed “Little Versailles.” It is named after Admiral de Beychevelle, governor of Guyenne under Henry III. Originally 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. It boasts aristocratic aromas and texture, with lovely suppleness characteristic of the appellation’s finest Merlots, yet combined 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 come 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 why it is now scattered throughout the AOC. In 2017, it opened 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 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 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 continuing to refine the precision of its wines.

Wine Enthusiast

Vinous

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

A brilliant wine with an intense color, the 2025 Château Beychevelle is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, and 70% of it is still aging in new oak barrels. Produced from one of the earliest harvests ever recorded at this château, with very low yields, it exhibits a ripe, seductive, and beautifully textured style, with aromas of ripe black cherries, graphite, spicy wood, and dried flowers on the nose. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, with a round and complex texture, velvety tannins, and a spectacular finish. With an alcohol content of 13.5% and a pH of 3.6, this is a ripe and expressive Beychevelle that will age gracefully for 30 years or more. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Hints of fresh wood provide a solid foundation for Beychevelle’s bouquet, which showcases its complexity through aromas of black berries, licorice, graphite, mint, and even floral notes. Smooth on the palate, the wine is driven by powerful, precise tannins. They are full-bodied, elegant, and perfectly integrated, providing both structure and vigor. The fruit-driven character gains momentum across the palate. It is complemented by subtle bitter notes that invigorate the mid-palate and extend the finish. 2032–2065

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

It is the floral bouquet that first catches the attention; then, the focus quickly shifts to a palette of red and black fruits, licorice, tobacco, mint leaves, and cedar. On the palate, it is elegant, silky, smooth, fresh, and concentrated. It takes just a second to perceive the richness of the fruit on the palate, with liveliness, refinement, and purity. The finish follows suit, with notes of perfectly ripe fruit, a hint of salinity, and hints of licorice, espresso, and cocoa. This is clearly one of the finest wines in the estate’s history. If you let it age for a few years in the bottle before uncorking it, it will be even better and should provide you with enjoyment for two decades or more without any problem. This wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. 13.4% alcohol, pH 3.6. The harvest took place from September 5 to 20. This is the earliest vintage in the estate’s history. Yields were 31 hectoliters per hectare. Best enjoyed between 2030 and 2065.