92

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2018 Beychevelle has a fresh, fragrant nose with plenty of blackberry, gravel, mint and incense aromas. It is not the most powerful Saint-Julien but it is certainly very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp entry and plenty of sappy black fruit, quite dense for Beychevelle. Tasting it three or four times, the first example showed an unexpected greenness on the finish; however, this was not evident on the others sampled. März 2021

95

Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Aged for around 18 months in barrel, 60% new and 40% second fill, the 2018 Beychevelle needs a fair bit of swirling to release classic notes of cassis, plum preserves and ripe blackberries, with emerging suggestions of unsmoked cigars, tilled soil and cedar chest, plus a waft of pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is still very tightly wound, offering finely packed black fruit and earthy layers within a frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. This will need a good 5-6 years to come around and then will drink beautifully over the next 20+ years. März 2021

96

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

The flagship 2018 Château Beychevelle is a more serious, concentrated, focused wine that still has that classic Saint-Julien purity of fruit as well as a wealth of fruit. Gorgeous notes of crème de cassis, chocolate-covered blueberries, violets, spring flowers, tobacco leaf, and cedar notes all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannins, moderate acidity, and a great, great finish. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it's one of the sexiest, most up-front and irresistible wines in the vintage. Don't let that scare you, though; it's going to drink beautifully for 2-3 decades. März 2021

93-94

James Suckling

James Suckling

This is concentrated with a solid core of fruit, yet it’s energetic and driven with plenty of pretty and forceful tannins. Dusty texture. Persistent finish. März 2019