2021 Château Beychevelle, Cru Classé, St. Julien
£353 per 6 bottle case in bond
Château Beychevelle 2021 has just released. While the price is essentially the same as last year, I believe it is worth offering as the 2021 ranked highly when we tasted earlier this year. Beychevelle is always one of the more elegant examples of St.Julien, yet in 2021 the Cabernet really comes through providing a little more backbone than might normally be the case, a point picked up on by Neal Martin. It is also interesting to note that William Kelley tasted the 2021 on five separate occasions, suggesting it improved each time.
2021 Château Beychevelle, Cru Classé, St.Julien
£353 per 6 bottle case in bond
91-93 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com
The 2021 Beychevelle has a pleasant, light bouquet that needs coaxing from the glass, eventually offering blackberry, briar, peppermint and sage aromas. The oak here is neatly integrated, though it does not possess the dimension of the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a firm grip on the entry. The Cabernet Sauvignon is fully in the driving seat here, imparting quite intense blackberry and graphite notes. As with many Saint-Julien barrel samples, a Pauillac-like structure comes through. The licorice-tinged finish is fresh and focused. This is quite an endearing Beychevelle after the challenging growing season. Drink 2026-2050
91-94 points, William Kelley, robertparker.com
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.
Please see below for a chart showing current Liv-Ex market prices for the last five vintages including the 2021. Please note prices are shown per 12 bottles in bond.
Vintage Liv-Ex Market Price per 12
2021 £706
2020 £795
2019 £900
2018 £856
2017 £940
Please let us know of your interest.
All the best
Simon