Salmanazar Château Beychevelle

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

the5/22/2017

Tiefes Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte und violettem Rand. Viel Cassis und Brombeerblüten, dahinter süsslicher Kirschtabak. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit engmaschigem Körper und feinmehligem Extrakt. Langes, romatisches Finale, das mit feiner Adstringenz endet. Kann an den Erfolg vom Vorjahr anknüpfen.

Bettane & Desseauve

96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Remarquable par sa densité de couleur et la pureté de son fruit, matière proportionnellement plus impressionnante à ce stade qu’en 2009 et 2010.

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Beychevelle is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare between 3 October and 18 October. It is matured in 50% new oak. Furthermore, it is the first vintage to be matured in the new chichi winery whose glass exterior overlooks the passing traffic on the D2. It has a very pure, fragrant bouquet with black cherries, cassis, cedar and wet limestone, extremely precise to the point where you might think it was from the Right Bank (logical given the proportion of Merlot in the blend). The palate is sensational: understated at first and bridled with ultra-fine tannin, it is a Beychevelle armed with a disarming sense of symmetry. It builds in the mouth towards a fabulously tensile finish that is so fresh and full of energy that the senses are almost overwhelmed. Frankly, it leaves all the other Beychevelles in recent years standing. This is an electrifying 2016 from winemaker Philippe Blanc and his right-hand man, technical director, Romain Ducolomb.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,75 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/28/2017

Le meilleur jamais fait ! Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. La plus belle que je connaisse dans ce cru. Nez intense, fin, fruité, pur, mûr et fumé. Très fondant dès l’attaque, moelleux, avec une texture minutieuse et beaucoup de goût, le vin s’étoffe à partir du milieu de bouche tout en conservant un charme fou. Tannicité raffinée. Une grande réussite. Bravo !

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

A blue-black deep red, nearly opaque, this the sexiest wine ever created at Beychevelle. The nose moves with cassis, tobacco, cigar box, flowers, boysenberry and dark chocolate. The fruit has unbelievable length, purity, density and silk sheets for tannins — grand style and character here. This is the first vintage produced in their gleaming, brand new, state-of-the-art cellars. Made from blending 47% Cabernet Sauvignon , 47% Merlot , 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc , the wine reached 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.62. The Grand Vin represents just 60% of the harvest, which took place from October 3 to October 15, the latest harvest in the history of Beychevelle.

Vinous

91-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

A heady wine, the 2016 Beychevelle possesses off-the-charts richness and intensity. White truffle, plum, lavender, black cherry and incense, along with an unctuous, racy feel, give the wine much of its exotic, voluptuous personality. Not at all subtle, the 2016 shows the more flamboyant side of Saint-Julien. Its balance is beyond reproach, however. Ripeness is pushed to the edge in 2016, yet the wine is absolutely compelling. This is a fabulous showing from Beychevelle and technical director Romain Ducolomb. Tasted two times.

matthewjukes.com

18 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(47 Merlot, 47 Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 Petit Verdot, 1 Cabernet Franc) | 50% new oak | 13.5% alc. | 45 hl/ha. | 77 IPT There is a dark, tea-like perfume at the core of this wine and it is incredibly attractive. The richness and power of carefully macerated berries, on the nose, never oversteps the mark and the summer sunshine is evident at the same time as the cool nights, too, in the restraint and finesse throughout. The finish is long and spicy and it props up the oak perfectly while hinting at the superb condition of the fruit at harvest. Exotic and floral, this wine will be slow to soften but when it does it will be a real eye-opener and it is another massive performance for this impressive estate. 18+

Decanter.com

94 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

An extremely successful Beychevelle this year, a carefully drawn wine where the fruit register is deep and dark, the tannins a little brooding, and a seam of freshness runs right through and picks things up. Excellent persistency, a beautiful wine. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Dark purple. Light peppery nose. Sweet palate entry with a hint of sweet oak, and then a bit austere on the palate. Lively coconut hint. Falls away on the finish. Competent rather than exciting.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. With tannins that are beautifully integrated into the rich black-fruit flavors, this is already a well-balanced wine. It is solid and will last, though the attractiveness of the fruit is already there.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

A textbook St.-Julien in the making, with crushed plum and warm cassis notes inlaid with anise and graphite accents. The muscular, driven finish is just a touch chewy in feel but gets soaked up quickly on the finish by the pure fruit. Really solid.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

The softness and finesse to this are indeed impressive with blackberry and blackcurrant character. Full-bodied, dense and polished. Lovely texture and length. It builds on the palate. Clearly better in 2015. This is the first year in from the new cellar.