Beychevelle Castle - Saint-Julien 2015

Vinifera

3-4 / 5

the5/31/2016

Très jolies notes aromatiques, sur les fruits rouges. Corps savoureux, d’une agréable densité, élancé. Finale souple et élégante.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

Licorice, tobacco, cassis and black cherry scents pop with little effort, escorting the palate to an end note of chocolate-covered cassis and dark, red fruits. With soft tannins and the structure to age, this is a richly-textured, round and elegantly-styled wine. Produced from a blend of 47% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, this wine reached 13.9% alcohol with a pH of 3.72. The Grand Vin represents 58% of the harvest which took place from September 22 to October 8. Over the past few years, Beychevelle has really stepped up their game. Under the direction of Philippe Blanc, this has really become a wine to watch.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Beychevelle was picked between 22 September and 8 October, a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot that will be matured in 50% new oak. It has quite a high IPT at 81, a pH of 3.72. It has a clean and crisp bouquet, tightly-wound at first, then unfurls with redcurrant, cranberry and raspberry scents, leaning towards the red spectrum rather than black. There is impressive delineation here, no frills, almost clinical in its "aromatic efficiency." The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a suave Beychevelle in the making, harmonious in the mouth, supple even, gently building towards a lightly spiced finish. Among the Saint Julien wines, this is clearly one of the more understated 2015s. It is only when you swallow the wine that its lingering flavors remind you that this could evolve into one of Philippe Blanc's great Beychevelles. While it is not a headline-grabbing wine, a decade in bottle will be handsomely rewarded.

Bettane & Desseauve

18-18,5 / 20

the4/28/2016

Grande profondeur intense, longueur ultra racée. Noblement aromatique, avec une chair supérieure aux grands millésimes de la décennie précédente, signe d’une sélection plus sévère, tannin de cèdre, finesse considérable, saint-julien à son sommet de séduction.

Vinous

92-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

Understated and nuanced, the 2015 Beychevelle is a wine of lovely finesse. Graphite, smoke, plum, violet and lavender are some of the many notes that are found in this delicate, super-expressive Saint-Julien, while floral notes add lift. The finessed side of Saint-Julien comes through nicely here. In 2015, yields were around 47 hectoliters per hectare. The blend is 47% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. New oak is around 50%. Tasted two times.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

bySteven Spurrierthe4/27/2016

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Jancis Robinson

17 /

byJancis Robinsonthe4/18/2016

Bright crimson. Aromatic rather than concentrated. Racy and sinewy. Lots of charm and pzazz without being in the least heavy. Bravo!

Drink 2024-2040

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/15/2016

Barrel Sample. This wine shows fine black fruit tones along with peppery tannins. It has a light touch, with lively acidity and a pure-fruit tones cut by a dry core. 93 points

René Gabriel

17 / 20

the4/10/2016

Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Aromatischer Ansatz leicht hölzern wirkend. Im Gaumen mit schöner, pflaumiger Frucht aufwartend, süsses Extrakt und reife Tannine. Endlich wieder einmal ein überzeugender Beychevelle. 17/20 2023 – 2038

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

This is very pretty with ultra-fine tannins, blueberry, blackberry and mineral flavors. Full body, integrated and balanced. Shows refinement and tension.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2016

This has a plush, slightly smoky edge, with plum sauce and blackberry confiture notes forming the core. Shows ample stuffing through the finish, presenting a pleasantly chewy edge.—J.M.