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Chateau Beychevelle

2010
Blend
5% Cabernet Franc
54% Cabernet Sauvignon
38% Merlot
3% Petit Verdot
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Appellation
Saint-Julien
UPC
0 15643 42739 8
New
Other
Verified Stock
350-10
Product Ratings
James Suckling 95pt

Beautiful aromas of blackberries, currants and flowers. Very aromatic. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and gorgeous fruit. It's polished and very refined. One of the best Beychevelles in years.

by James Suckling, 2013
Vinous Media 93+pt

The 2010 Beychevelle has much more lift and black fruit on the nose compared directly with the 2009. Licorice and violet scents, especially the former, emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry. Huge structure, dense and tannic, powerful with an almost burly finish. You might argue that this lacks a bit of finesse, but it has a sense of audacity uncommon in this Saint-Julien.

by Vinous Media, 2022
Wine Advocate 93pt

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Beychevelle comes roaring out of the glass with bombastic scents of baked blackcurrants, plum preserves and Black Forest cake plus touches of potpourri, cedar chest and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has evolved black fruit flavors and a firm, chewy texture, finishing with nice freshness and a spicy kick.

by Wine Advocate, 2020
Wine Enthusiast 94pt

Beychevelle's style privileges elegance over weight, and such is the case with the 2010. It's a pure-fruited, ripe and lightly tannic wine, emphasizing a blackberry note. This will evolve relatively quickly, reaching a peak in approximately eight years.

by Wine Enthusiast, 2013
Wine Spectator 93pt

Features a gutsy feel, displaying dark, roasted cedar and tobacco notes framing a core of steeped fig, blackberry paste and plum skin that rumbles through the tarry finish. Shows strong grip on the back end, with the briary edge extending nicely. Best from 2016 through 2035.

by Wine Spectator, 2013

Tasting notes

The degree of alcohol (more than 14%) set a new record, but the wines are well-balanced with good acidity. Furthermore, the tannin is extremely ripe and smooth.
Like last year, the colour is very deep, with record levels of polyphenols and anthocyanins, and the wines are tremendously fruity. The well-focused acidity makes for superb balance and fine ageing potential.

Harvest

The first grapes were hand picked starting on the 27th of September (6 days later than in 2009), and the harvest of Merlot grapes lasted until the 1st of October. Picking of Cabernet Franc and the first Cabernet Sauvignon grapes began from the 5th to the 8th of October, and the last plots of Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested between the 11th and the 13th of October. The quality of the grapes was excellent thanks to meticulous work done in the vineyard all year and very favourable weather during the vintage (not a single day of rain).

Vintage

Despite a cold spell in late May/early June and major variations in temperature, the winter of 2009-2010 and the growing season that followed were marked by very favourable weather. On the whole, there was a great deal of sunshine typical of very good vintages.
Bud break became widespread in the latter part of April. This was fairly even and took place at much the same time for all grape varieties. Merlot flowered around the 24th of May and the Cabernets on the 29th-30th of May during less than ideal (cool and wet) weather that caused considerable coulure (shot berries). VĂ©raison (colour change) began in late July. This took place slowly and fairly evenly for the various grape varieties. Green harvesting was done in July, essentially on 45 hectares of young vines.