2009 Beychevelle
By Chateau Beychevelle
The 2009 Beychevelle from Chateau Beychevelle, St-Julien, Bordeaux
The year 2009 was celebrated across Bordeaux with gratifying zeal by vintners and vinophiles alike. The growing conditions gifted the region with generous sunlight and an ideal temperature range, culminating in a harvest that many dared to whisper as the vintage of a lifetime. At the heart of this excellence stands the 2009 Beychevelle from Chateau Beychevelle—a wine that exhilarates the senses while promising a formidable presence in any investor's portfolio.
Decoding the Vintage's Elegance
In assessing this standout offering, one is immediately struck by its balance—a symphony where each note hits the right pitch. This remarkable equilibrium is courtesy of the superb climatic conditions that defined St-Julien in 2009. The blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with dashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, displays a beautifully orchestrated complexity. On the nose, there are wafts of blackcurrant and ripe plum, hovering amidst delicate spicy undertones that entice and intrigue.
A Tapestry of Tannins
Upon sampling, the 2009 Beychevelle unveils a palate rich in texture. Ample tannins provide structure yet they wear their power lightly; elegant rather than imposing. Mature yet lively fruit characters emerge steadily, hinting at the longevity lying within this wine’s depths—an aspect that collectors keenly seek when assessing wine investments.
With over a decade of repose since bottling, the wine now surfaces ready for its moment in the limelight. It is indeed revealing some secondary characteristics, such as nuances of leather and tobacco leaf which majestically enhance its linger on the palate.
In synthesis, this vintage represents a sublime combination of nature's providence and human craftsmanship. The 2009 Beychevelle stands as one of Chateau Beychevelle's most immersive creations to date—a tour de force in viniculture that beckons both connoisseurs and investors alike. Its resilient appeal is not merely ephemeral but instead promises to sustain and flourish with each passing year.
Market price (CAD)
$1,830.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
84.62
Scores and tasting notes
Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Beychevelle begins a little closed, slowly revealing notes of iron ore, tilled soil, fungi and underbrush over a core of blackberry preserves, warm plums and cassis with touches of mocha and camphor. Full-bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, it has a firm texture of ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with a compelling mineral lift.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 14 March 2019
Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Beychevelle 2009 here seems more muted on the nose: introspective and surly, reluctant to offer the fruit intensity that its peers are offering at this early juncture. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit on the entry tinged with leather and dried orange peel. There is good weight and structure towards the finish that is “classic” in style, the oak playing a secondary role to the fruit. Nothing wrong with that. Very fine. Tasted January 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2013
The finest Beychevelle since the 2003 and probably since the 1982, Beychevelle’s 2009 is opaque purple in color, with a beautiful, floral nose intermixed with black currant fruit, licorice, cedar wood and Christmas fruitcake. Full-bodied yet still elegant and pure, this wine has velvety tannins, a broad, savory mouthfeel, and a very long finish. There is plenty of tannin behind the extravagant fruit, glycerin and texture of this wine, but it is largely concealed. This wine could actually turn out to be even better than my relatively conservative tasting note. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2042.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #199 February 2012