The 2005 Beychevelle has an attractive nose with brambly red fruit, marmalade, cedar and light leather aromas. This is just a little rustic, yet full of vigor and presence. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Solid and muscular, it comes across a little uncouth compared to more recent, more refined vintages, though it has an attractive spicy, black pepper-infused finish. Drinking well now, it should give another decade of drinking pleasure.

The Grand Vin, the 2005 Beychevelle is a gorgeous wine, with plenty of creme de cassis, floral notes, underbrush and forest floor. It is sweet and medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin and beautiful texture and purity.

Very much in an elegant style, this wine shows soft, almost velvet tannins supporting the ripe fruit. It has richness, a round character masking the dense texture, and setting off the clean red berry fruits and fresh acidity.

The 2005 vintage produced a seductive effort from Beychevelle, with lush plum and mulberry fruit accented with pepper and anise on the nose. The dense, silky texture hints at the relatively large proportion of Merlot in the blend (46%), which was picked beginning 21 September. The supple, velvety feel on the palate continues straight through the luxuriant finish.