CH. BEYCHEVELLE SAINT JULIEN 750ML VINTAGE 2016
Country of Origin: France
Château Beychevelle is a winery in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of ten Quatrièmes Crus (Fourth Growths) in the historic Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.
Château Beychevelle, the "Versailles of the Médoc", could only be expected to produce excellent wine. This outstanding 90-hectare vineyard, planted on deep, Garonne-gravel soil, has a winegrowing tradition dating from the Middle Ages. More modern selection, winemaking, and ageing techniques also contribute towards the finished wine's perfection. Beychevelle’s history is a long and rich one. The château's character has been tempered by three centuries of history in the hands of several powerful families, influential in the economic, political, and cultural life of the Bordeaux area, and even further afield.
As far back as the Middle Ages, when the land belonged to the Counts de Foix-Candale, the wine of Beychevelle was shipped to England, Flanders and the Germanic countries from the port at the bottom of the gardens. The Bishop François de Foix-Candale built the château in 1565. His niece, wife of Jean-Louis de Nogaret de la Valette, first Duke d'Epernon, mignon of King Henri III, Grand-Amiral of France and Governor of the Province of Guyenne, inherited the château. De Nogaret de la Valette was such a powerful man that ships sailing by his estate had to lower their sails as a sign of respect. This is the origin of the name "Beychevelle", meaning « Baisse Voile » (lower the sails). The estate then came into the hands of Jean-Baptiste d'Abadie, Baron of Lamarque and Beychevelle and President of the Bordeaux Parliament. He replanted the vineyard after the terrible 1709 frost. His nephew, Etienne François de Brassier, also Baron of Lamarque and Beychevelle and Parliamentary Councillor, inherited the domain in 1717. He is responsible for building the port at Beychevelle. In 1787, the château came into the possession of Delphine-Catherine de Brassier, Baroness of Budos and Beychevelle. She somehow managed to maintain the estate in good condition throughout the French Revolution.
The 2016 vintage had the honour of inaugurating Château Beychevelle’s new winery facilities. The results exceeded our expectations! Thanks to this cutting-edge equipment, the vintage reveals the full potential of Château Beychevelle’s exceptional terroir. The new winery has been customized to the vineyard, with every vine having a place in a plot-by-plot vinification process,that enables each terroir to express all of its complexity and depth. More spacious, and with an improved layout, our new technical facilities also enable a gentle transfer of the grapes by gravity, very precise temperature control, and extractions adjusted to the characteristics of each vat. Combining innovation and tradition, Château Beychevelle demonstrates its "haute-couture" expertise.