Rich and muscular, the 2020 Beychevelle offers up aromas of cassis, blackberries and baked plums mingled with notions of spices, pencil shavings and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, thick and fleshy, with an ample core of fruit framed by powdery, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the finish, this is a more powerful, chunky Beychevelle than the suave 2019.

Château Beychevelle is a large landowner, at 250 hectares. But of these, only 90 are planted to vines and only 78 are located within the Saint-Julien appellation (the rest are in neighboring Cussac). Around 60% of those holdings are located on the plateau between Branaire-Ducru and Ducru-Beaucaillou, and the percentage of Merlot is quite elevated at 40%though it's declining, as replanting here favors Cabernet Sauvignon. Since 2008, viticulture has become much less dependent on chemicals. The grand vin itself represents just over half of the production, and in the last decade or so, it has become a touch richer and more extracted and chunky. Given Beychevelle's impressive holdings on prime terroirs overlooking the estuary (something only appreciates when looking at a map), it's clear that one could expect even greater things.

RP 93/100

Drink Date:2027 - 2055