1996 Beychevelle
By Chateau Beychevelle
1996 Beychevelle from Chateau Beychevelle, St-Julien, Bordeaux
Within the pantheon of St-Julien wines, the 1996 Beychevelle from Chateau Beychevelle beams with a radiance reflective of the region's storied elegance. This vintage captures a unique moment in Bordeaux's climatic tapestry, a year graced by an extended summer that bestowed upon the vineyards a prolonged period of ripening, allowing for a harvest that was both unhurried and optimal.
Legacy Embottled: The Art of Vintage Expression
The craftsmanship inherent in the production of the 1996 Beychevelle is one of both respect for tradition and an embrace of the conditions bestowed by nature. The balance this vintage strikes – between the richly plumed tannic structure and an acidity that zips through like a maestro’s baton – is unquestionably engaging. A vivid bouquet teeming with blackcurrant, cedar, and a touch of earthy truffle ushers one into a complex palate narrative. Here, velvet-textured plums wrestle eloquently with refined oak nuances creating a composition that whispers quality.
A Testament To Time: Maturation and Investment Potential
As an aged claret, it embodies the timeless adage that patience begets reward. The expanse of time since its bottling has lent this 1996 Beychevelle a matured grace, one whose tertiary characteristics enrich the tale of its early days with whispers of leather and undergrowth. It sits at an evocative intersection where maturity heightens allure without diminishing vibrancy, marking it as an attractive proposition for fine wine investors. With years still ahead to unfold its narrative further, one may consider it poised to achieve even greater heights.
The investment caliber of such a wine cannot be understated; the 1996 Beychevelle presents experts and enthusiasts alike with a case study in the potential longevity and gracefulness typical to St-Julien offerings. Connoisseurs perusing the archives for an exquisite plot in Bordeaux’s historical timeline need not look beyond this vintage. Throughout an exploration of investment merit, it's essential to consider not only the history but also how gracefully it will continue to evolve, much like any profound legacy in viniculture.
In Summary: A Vintage Shaped By Nature's Grace
The narrative of the 1996 season echoes within each sip of this St-Julien treasure, affirming Chateau Beychevelle’s reputation for finely-tuned expressions of Bordeaux magnificence. It delights as much as it intrigues—its structure and poise suggest deeper ponderances on longevity. For investors, this yields valuable reflections on cellaring potential, trading opportunity, and overall worth - critical axioms in fine wine investment. Such is the story woven by this particular vintage from Chateau Beychevelle; a tale spun from vines, narrated through years, ready to enchant anew within discerning palates.
Current market price
£1,220.00
12x75cl
Highest score
88
POP score
152.5
Scores and tasting notes
A more mature but deeper colour compared to the '98 Beychevelle with a distinct amber/brick rim. The palate has good fruit intensity with boysenberry, briary, leather and a touch of dried herbs. Good lift. The palate is medium-bodied, cohesive, a bit light on the middle, perhaps more advanced than I would prefer for a '96 but an assertive on the finish with hints of cooked game and spice. Good length with a pleasing austere finish. Fine. Drink now-2015. Tasted May 2008.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2008
Beychevelle's 1996 reveals an evolved, dark plum color. The nose offers toasty new oak in an open, charming style with berry fruit intermixed with spice. It is an uninspiring example, particularly for such a top-notch terroir, but the wine is medium-bodied and cleanly made, with moderate longevity. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2012.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #122 April 1999
The 1996 Beychevelle was served from double magnum at the property. The nose is fully mature with touches of mushroom, leather and sous-bois, though not quite as complex as say the 1996 Ducru Beaucaillou. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, though it is not as refined or as nuanced as its peers. This is from a period where I think that Beychevelle was not firing on all cylinders and I have been scathing with my reviews in the past. Even here it lags behind its peers, something that I feel has been rectified in recent vintages by Philippe Blanc and his team. Tasted July 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 October 2016