At a glance

Producer

Château Beychevelle

Region

Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$75-$120

Tasting profile

Fresh blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and floral notes; tight and structured palate

Evolution: Will develop more tertiary notes such as tobacco, leather, and forest floor with age

At peak: Complex and elegant with silky tannins and layered aromatics

Structure

Acidity

Moderate to high acidity providing freshness and aging support

Tannins

Firm, ripe, well-structured tannins

Alcohol

13.5%-14%

Aging potential

20-25 years from vintage, can extend beyond 30 years in ideal cellar conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2055

Optimal window

2023 to 2058

Current status

Drinking well; still youthful and developing

Current condition

Good balance of primary fruit and emerging tertiary complexity

Château Beychevelle is a classified growth from Saint-Julien with superior terroir and viticultural practices. The exceptional 2016 vintage is ripe yet balanced, allowing a long evolving drinking window with complexity that unfolds over decades.

Food pairing

Pairs well with lamb, beef, game, mature cheeses, and mushroom-based dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To aerate and soften firm tannins, and to release bouquet

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Use of integrated pest management, cover cropping, optimized water management, energy-efficient winery operations, and eco-friendly packaging materials

Château Beychevelle implements recognized sustainable farming and winemaking standards, focusing on minimizing chemical inputs and enhancing biodiversity. While as a major Bordeaux estate their carbon footprint includes global export logistics, ongoing improvements in energy efficiency and eco-packaging contribute positively to sustainability.