2017 Beychevelle
By Chateau Beychevelle
2017 Beychevelle from Chateau Beychevelle, St-Julien, Bordeaux
The distinguished 2017 vintage from Chateau Beychevelle reflects the resilient spirit of St-Julien in a year that initially promised challenges, yet delivered surprisingly expressive wines. This particular vintage reveals the essence of what fine wine enthusiasts and savvy investors seek: a testament to the valorous efforts of vintners amidst climatic tribulations.
An Expression of Elegance Amidst Adversity
While frost significantly impacted Bordeaux in 2017, the fortunate situation of Chateau Beychevelle's vineyards near the Gironde estuary provided a safeguard, resulting in a harvest which gracefully dodged the ravages experienced by others. This serendipity is expressed in the glass; the 2017 Beychevelle exudes an equilibrium between ripeness and structure that one would expect from more benign conditions.
A Vintage Reflecting Terroir Triumph
The nuances of this laudable St-Julien are many: a deftly woven tapestry of blackcurrant and plums harmonizes with subtle cedar undertones, all ensconced in a mantle of well-integrated oak. To sip the 2017 Beychevelle is to understand how St-Julien’s terroir can triumph even in times of climatic caprice. The tannins are consummately sculpted, offering a firm yet silken framework on which the wine’s longevity confidently asserts itself.
Made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot completing its composition, the wine is emblematic of elegant restraint and latent vibrancy—characteristics useful for discerning enthusiasts keen to enrich their cellars with a truly investable vintage.
Concluding with Collectability
In summary, the 2017 Beychevelle sings a complex ballad of resilience, fine craftsmanship, and harmony—a compelling addition for collectors and investors alike. It's important to note its promising evolution potential: while approachable now, further cellaring will reveal deeper facets over time. As such, this vintage is undeniably one to consider thoughtfully for those intent on curating diverse portfolios that value both beauty and endurance.
Market price (CAD)
$1,380.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
59.29
Scores and tasting notes
Very fine tannins already with a solid core of blackberry and blueberry character. Hints of flowers. Full-bodied, well-integrated and tight, not to mention fresh and long.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
The 2017 Beychevelle is absolutely gorgeous. Creamy and beautifully layered on the palate, Beychevelle exudes exotic richness in its ripe red/purplish berry fruit. Even though the 2017 is rather flamboyant in style, it retains quite a bit of brightness to play off its more extroverted leanings. Beychevelle was impressive on the several times I tasted it.
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Beychevelle has a fragrant, floral nose with warm cassis, preserved plums and Morello cherries plus earth, herbs and cinnamon touches. Medium-bodied, it has lovely expression with firm, fine grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new and 40% second fill. The final blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Fifty-two percent of the production was dedicated to the grand vin, with 240,000 bottles produced.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 16 March 2020
This has a soft core of pure plum and cherry preserve flavors. Light cedar, vanilla and tobacco notes fill in on the finish. Very rounded, displaying a jammy feel rather than the vintage’s overt freshness. A bit of an anomaly.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - winespectator.com
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Beychevelle opens with gregarious cassis and blackberry pie notes with touches of baking spices and underbrush plus a waft of lavender. Medium-bodied with a great core of ripe black fruits, it has a firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and balancing freshness, finishing long. The final blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4 Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
The 2017 Beychevelle was cropped at 54hl/ha between 18 September and 3 October, matured in around 60% new oak with 13.4° alcohol. It has a very ripe blueberry, almost iodine-scented bouquet that is much more extroverted than its peers (like the 2016 last year.) The palate is medium-bodied with sweet black cherry and boysenberry fruit, and plenty of crushed violet. The palate is ripe and succulent; a sweet core of blue and black fruit here although perhaps its neighbor across the road, Branaire Ducru, displays a little more terroir at this early stage. Maybe that is because of the saignée? I would just like to see a little more restraint come through in bottle while I noticed greater precision developing during the 30 minutes the sample spent in my glass.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18