Beychevelle Castle - Saint-Julien 2012

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

From the estate of Michel Rolland, this is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It is a just under 14-acre estate with vines averaging 30 years of age. The wine has a dense ruby/purple color and is a soft, juicy and friendly wine with low acidity, red and black cherry fruit and medium body. Drink it over the next 6-7 years.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

This shows an outstanding density of fruit with currant, blueberry and raspberry character. Full-bodied, compressed and tight. Fine tannins. Better in 2017.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Very solid, with a bramble-lined core of blackberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit, backed by anise and singed wood spice notes. A bolt of graphite pins the finish down. Best from 2016 through 2024. 20,416 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the12/11/2014

Relatively light but well-tailored to fit the fruit - the tannins are dry and light and the acidity is just right. Light finish too. (JH)13.3% Drink 2020-2028

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

the10/23/2014

Relatively light but well-tailored to fit the fruit - the tannins are dry and light and the acidity is just right. Light finish too. (JH) 2020-2028

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

(47% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc; 67% selection for the grand vin; 42 h/h):  Fully saturated deep purple-red.  Aromas of black cherry, flowers and aromatic spices.  Then surprisingly big and almost chunky for Beychevelle, with rich blackberry and black cherry flavors dominating.  This crowd-pleaser finishes smooth, ripely tannic and long.

timatkin.com

92 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

The price is sometimes distorted by the appeal of the Chinese dragon on the label, but this fourth growth is rarely less than reliable. The 2012 is made in a classic style, with elegant, leafy fruit, some tobacco spice, refreshing acidity and enough tannin and structure to age. The freshness of the wine is very attractive. Drink: 2020-30

Le Point

15 / 100

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Fermé, réducteur, s'ouvre sur le mentholé, bouche marquée par la prise de bois, tanins présents, un peu dur en finale à ce stade mais on sent le fruit derrière. O = 2016 G= 12 ans.

Asian Palate

89 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/15/2013

Soft, elegant, juicy wine. Very nice balance without any extraction or heaviness. There is generous flavours of plums and cassis with hint of violets in the finish. Well crafted red.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2013

Philippe Blanc is a winemaker in the ascendency in Saint Julien and he has crafted some lovely Beychevelle wines recently. The Grand Vin is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot picked from 27 September until 18 October (16 days picking) and it is being raised in 50% new oak. It has a ripe, rounded, quite generous bouquet with floral, crushed violet scents developing in the glass. The palate has quite a surprising grip on the entry. The IPT of 75 makes its mark – there is real backbone to this Beychevelle and it could be one of the longer-lasting Saint Julien wines. Graphite and a touch of dried herbs on the classic finish show that this could be one of the 2012 worth allocating a berth in your cellar. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Features plum and blackberry fruit, with ample singed anise and fig paste notes. Juicy and briary, this delivers solid, chewy grip. Not as dense as in top years, but true to to the house style. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

16.5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

A strong, solid effort from Beychevelle, the 2012 exhibits a deep ruby/plum color in addition to a sweet perfume of mulberries, black currants, jammy cherries, vanilla and damp earth. With good power and more depth than many Medocs as well as the estate’s hallmark finesse and elegance, this excellent, possibly outstanding wine possesses sweet tannin and more mid-palate depth than many of its peers.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.3% alcohol with 3.82pH. The wine will be aged in 50% new French oak. Good depth of color, truffle, earth and blackberry scents come to the forefront. Soft, round and showing some nice flesh, the wine ends with fresh black and red spicy fruits. This is a nice effort for the debut vintage with their new winemaker, Romain Ducolomb. 90-92 Pts

My Bettane + Desseauve

17-17,5 / 20

the4/26/2013

Nez discret fruité et floral, jolie sève, rond, charnu, diversifié, tannin fin.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/23/2013

Drink 2020-2032
Particularly dark purple. Minerals and oyster shells on the nose. Then unexpectedly sweet on the palate. Gratingly green on the finish. A bit brutal.

Decanter.com

16,8 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Dense, quite precise Cabernet fruit, a bit herby and green as Beychevelle always is en primeur, but St-Julien class is there for the future. 16.75/20pts ( 89/100pts)
Drink: 2017 - 2028

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/22/2013

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez frais et parfumé. Bouche juteuse et très parfumée, ce qui lui donne beaucoup de charme. Le vin évolue pas très puissant, mais suave et gourmand vers une finale de longueur normale.

Jamessuckling.com

90-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

Blackberry and blueberry character. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a pretty finish with finesse and refinement. Beychevelle is very consistent in quality these days.