Ratings & Tasting Notes:
95 points Decanter
Review Date: 05/2023
An expressive nose – heady and evocative still – a marker of the ripe, plush and powerful 82s when they were born. Floral and fragrant with red and black fruit, some baked cherries and soft caramel notes alongside leather and cigar box. Determined and sinewy on the palate, tannins are sharp, full and focussed. A lovely frame and sense of style, this has bite and tang with licks of wet stone, graphite, slate and pencil lead all combining alongside liquorice. This still has lots of life yet. Stylish and confident, vibrant and energetic still with excellent weight. Extremely enjoyable, in its prime but by no means tired – lots of life yet. (GH)
94 points Wine Advocate
Review Date: 12/2022
Fully mature, the 1982 Beychevelle is drinking beautifully today, exhibiting sweet aromas of plums, minty cassis, licorice and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with an ample core of fruit, melted tannins and an expansive finish, it’s a gourmand, demonstrative wine that can likely continue to hold at this level for some time to come in a cold cellar. (WK)
93 points John Gilman
Review Date: 01/2020
I had not crossed paths with a bottle of the 1982 Château Beychevelle since I wrote my feature on this fine estate back in the spring of 2011. The wine remains quite youthful for the vintage, offering up a deep and sappy nose of black cherries, cassis, a touch of bell pepper, cigar wrapper, a lovely base of gravelly soil tones and a fine dollop of spice in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, complex and very refined in profile, with melting tannins, a sappy core and excellent length and grip on the just blossoming finish. This is quite tasty today with some time in decanter, but it is still climbing and in a perfect world, bottles would still be left alone in the cellar for another five years. (JG) 93+
Cult Wines International Notes:
Chateau Beychevelle, a prestigious Fourth Growth estate in the Saint-Julien appellation, possesses a history as storied as its elegant architecture. Often referred to as the Versailles of the Medoc, the estate’s name is derived from the Old French phrase baisso-vella, meaning lower the sails. This was a mark of respect paid by passing ships to the powerful Duke of Epernon, a former owner and Grand Admiral of the French Navy, whose influence is still immortalized in the chateau’s iconic emblem of a ship with a dragon prow. Over centuries, the property has transitioned through various noble families and financial institutions, maintaining a reputation for producing wines that balance the power of Saint-Julien with a distinct, supple grace.
The 1982 vintage is widely regarded as a watershed moment for Bordeaux, and for Chateau Beychevelle, it represents one of the finest expressions of that decade. The growing season was characterized by nearly perfect conditions, beginning with a successful flowering in June followed by a hot, dry summer. While the heat was intense, timely rains in late August provided the necessary hydration to ensure the grapes reached optimal physiological ripeness. Harvesting took place under clear skies, allowing the estate to pick fruit with exceptional concentration, high sugar levels, and ripe tannins. The resulting wine is celebrated for its opulent texture and aromatic complexity, serving as a benchmark for the longevity and classic character that define this historic estate.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition.
Please note: The condition of the bottle you will receive is accurately reflected by the one shown in the images.
