Chateau Beychevelle 2021

WEINWISSER: "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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "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."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Clearly a star in the vintage, the 2021 Château Beychevelle is showing even better from bottle than barrels, revealing a dense purple hue as well as gorgeous notes of crème de cassis, spicy oak, smoked tobacco, and iron. Based on 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged in 70% new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. It needs 4-5 years to integrate its oak but will easily evolve for two decades. It's a pure, layered, incredibly impressive 2021 that has tons to love, and I'd certainly be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Beychevelle opens in the glass with notes of sweet berry compote, plums and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy palate with an unusually sweet core of fruit for the vintage, framed by plenty of chewy tannin, and concluding with a vanillin-inflected finish."

DECANTER: "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."

FALSTAFF: "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."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Beychevelle has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs plenty of swirling to coax out notes of ripe blackcurrants, Bing cherries, and juicy strawberries, giving way to nuances of forest floor, mossy tree bark, and tapenade. The light-bodied palate has delicately played red and black fruits that match its ethereal weight, supported by silky tannins and great tension, finishing long and fragrant. Pretty!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blueberry and some chocolate and berry character. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh, medium finish."