CHATEAU BEYCHEVELLE 4eme Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 2015 Bottle

Description

Chateau Beychevelle 4eme Grand Cru Classe Saint Julien 2015 is a poised and classically styled claret that balances refined structure with generous black fruit and a distinct floral lift. The colour is a deep ruby with a narrow garnet rim, indicating the beginning of tertiary development while retaining youthful concentration. The nose opens with blackcurrant, bramble and ripe plum, brightened by pronounced violet and rose petal perfume; with airing the bouquet unveils cedar, graphite and pencil shavings alongside savoury hints of olive tapenade and cured meat.

The palate displays a generous yet refined mid palate, with a satiny texture and finely grained tannins that provide backbone without harshness. Primary dark fruit of cassis and damson is complemented by layers of dried herb, smoked meat and a subtle soy reduction. Oak seasoning contributes clove, toasted spice and a discreet dark chocolate note that supports the fruit rather than dominating it. Acidity is fresh and driving, giving lift through the core and ensuring the wine remains focused and energetic. A cool saline mineral thread and a faint iron note lengthen the finish and underline the Saint Julien terroir.

The 2015 vintage in Bordeaux combined warm ripening conditions with some cooler periods that preserved acidity, producing wines with ripe fruit, polished tannins and clear definition. At Beychevelle this resulted in a wine that is both generous and measured, showing immediate appeal yet built for evolution. Winemaking emphasised careful extraction and attentive élevage to integrate oak and preserve aromatic purity.

Approachable now with decanting to open the aromatics, the 2015 will reward medium term cellaring as tertiary notes of leather, cedar and forest floor knit more fully with the fruit. Drink 2026 to 2040, peaking 2028 to 2036. Serve with roast lamb, beef Wellington, chargrilled ribeye, venison with juniper, mushroom and truffle dishes, cassoulet or mature hard cheeses to complement the wine’s savoury depth and refined texture.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 95 points
This elegant estate, with its views down to the Gironde estuary, has produced an excellent 2015. It is properly firm with tannins although this structure is well balanced with the ripe, stylish black-currant fruits and acidity. A juicy finish bodes well for the future. Drink this generous wine from 2025.

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
Perfumed red with so much presence and brightness. Flowers, currants and blueberries. Some citrus. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very fine and vivid. Better in 2022.

VINOUS 94 points
The 2015 Beychevelle has a fresh blackberry and briary bouquet of impressive delineation and vigor; hints of smoke and pencil shavings emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, wonderful tension and an almost effervescent, nervous finish that leaves a tongue-tingling dash of black pepper in its wake. So much potential here. As I have written before, this is one of Philippe Blanc's great Beychevelles. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 93 points
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Drink Date: 2020 - 2039
The 2015 Beychevelle is a blend of 47% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot aged 18 months in barrel, 50% of which were new and 50% second fill. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it's scented of smoked meats, scorched earth, garrigue and new leather with a core of cassis, cherry cordial and plum preserves. The medium-bodied palate is a little firm but delicate, with lovely vibrancy and a bit of grip on the finish.

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ABOUT CHATEAU BEYCHEVELLE
Château Beychevelle is a historic estate in the Saint Julien appellation on Bordeaux’s left bank, recognised for wines that combine elegance, aromatic finesse and substantial ageing potential. The property occupies deep gravel terraces that promote excellent drainage and favour Cabernet Sauvignon driven blends that nevertheless retain a sense of balance and refinement. Beychevelle has long been admired for its classical Médoc presence and for wines that marry ripe black fruit with floral lift and saline mineral undertones.

Since 2009 the estate has been owned by the Greffulhe Beauregard family, who have committed to significant investment in vineyard renewal, cellar modernisation and research while respecting the estate heritage. Family stewardship emphasises continuity of style together with careful technical improvement to enhance consistency across vintages and to protect site identity.

Vineyards extend across some 90 hectares and are planted mainly to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Vine age varies by parcel and careful vineyard management is central to the estate approach. Canopy work, green harvesting and selective hand picking are used to achieve physiological ripeness and to preserve natural acidity. Soil care and measures to increase biodiversity have been progressively adopted to support long term vigour and terroir expression.

Winemaking is overseen by an experienced technical team led by the estate technical director and head winemaker, who apply a parcel by parcel approach to vinification. The cellar regimen includes meticulous sorting, temperature controlled fermentations and measured extraction to build structure while maintaining aromatic clarity. Ageing is carried out in French oak with attention to barrel selection and time in wood so that oak supports rather than dominates fruit purity.

In style Beychevelle typically shows blackcurrant, plum, violet and cedar notes with an underlying saline minerality and fine grain tannins that ensure longevity. The wines are well suited to patient cellaring and pair exceptionally with classic Bordeaux cuisine.