2021 Chateau Beychevelle 1,5 l - Magnum - Grand Cru Classe - St. Julien AC

Decanter.com – 92 pts – GH: *Dark chocolate, green peppercorns, blackcurrants, lots of Cabernet markers on the nose. Missing a touch more mid palate depth, starts off juicy and bright but then settles and quietens. It's got a lovely sleek texture, tannins are really well integrated and this isn't at all pushed which is a great effort in 2021 showcasing restraint over trying to make something too hefty. I just wanted some more vibrancy and concentration to follow through. This may just need more time to come together and harmonise.* - 12/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 92 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine dunkle Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Brombeeren und Cassis, zart mit Vanille und Nougat unterlegt. Komplex, saftig, reife Zwetschken, gut integrierte Tannine, schokoladiger Nachhall, gutes Reifepotenzial.* - 05/2022

The Wine Advocate – (91-94) pts – WK: *The 2021 Beychevelle is a strong effort, exhibiting aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with cigar wrapper and fresh mint. Medium to full-bodied, bright and fine-boned, it's deep and layered, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. This wine only improved over the five times I tasted it.* - 04/2022

Vinum Magazin – 17/20 pts: *Blumiges Holz; besitzt Schliff und Tiefe und erstklassiges Tannin; besonders ausgewogener, stilvoller, präziser Beychevelle; der schönste seit langem, wenn das so auf die Flasche kommt.*

WeinWisser – 18/20 pts - TB: *Der Beychevelle 2021 ist satt, süßlich, karamellig-schokoladig und aufreizend, er sich zwar weniger typisch, dafür jedoch sehr publikumswirksam, mit hoher Intensität. Sehr druckvoll und konzentriert im Mund, mit viel Schmelz und ausgiebiger Süße am Gaumen. Rassige Gerbstoffe, sehr klar und lang. Rund, satt, cremig und voll, lebt er von seiner generösen Mitte.* - 02/2024

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5/20pts – JL: *57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Pleasantly fragrant with floral and dark-fruit notes. Juicy and ripe on the palate. Less flesh and concentration than top years but fruit present and tannins finely honed. Clean, persistent finish.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – 94 pts – AG: *The 2021 Beychevelle is rich and sumptuous, but not quite as pushed in that direction as some recent vintages have been. Then again, that sort of opulence was simply not possible in 2021. Even so, the 2021 flows with dark blue/purplish fruit, incense, espresso, mocha, menthol and licorice. All the elements are so well balanced. The 2021 is a terrific Beychevelle with a bright future.* - 12/2023

Vinous.com – 92 pts – NM: *The 2021 Beychevelle, incidentally the final vintage to contain Cabernet Franc according to Philippe Blanc, is still a little tight on the nose after bottling in June, but, it has a wonderful sense of purity and delineation. The Cabernet Sauvignon is very expressive here, so much so that you might think there was around 75% in the blend, rather than 57%. There's a hint of crushed violet in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, and harmonious with fine sapidity. This is more austere than recent vintages, as you might expect, and perhaps not as long in the mouth, but I appreciate the Pauillac-like graphite note that surfaces with aeration. There is a convincing sense of classicism in this Beychevelle, and it should age with style.* - 11/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 94 pts – JL: *Flowers, tobacco, spice, currants and black raspberries define the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, almost light on its feet with sweet black currants, peppery cherries, chewy blackberries, dark chocolate and a touch of refreshing spearmint that adds to the vibrant character. The wine blends 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2025-2050.* - 05/2024