Tasting Notes
Vinous 87-90
Deep ruby-violet. Explosive, pure blackberry, boysenberry and black cherry scents show no musty or green notes–something that is not altogether rare in many less-successful 2013 Bordeaux. Broad, deep and velvety for the year, with seamless dark berry and graphite flavors given gentle support by soft, ripe tannins. The persistent finish features smooth tannins and a lingering echo of boysenberry. A fairly sexy rather than refined Beychevelle.
Robert Parker 88
The 2013 Beychevelle has a backward, tightly coiled bouquet, though there is more vigor here than the Branaire-Ducru with earthy blackberry and cedar scents. In fact, Philippe Blanc has created a quite Pauillac set of aromas. The palate is saline on the entry with assertive tannin: a tang of green bell pepper in the mouth but with a decent solid finish that shows good backbone. Give this 3 or 4 years in bottle and you will have yourself a respectable, foursquare Beychevelle, if not a remarkable one.
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028
JancisRobinson.com 15.5
Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Perfumed with sweet oak and dark fruit. But a little bit hard on the palate and gets tougher on second taste. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2025
