Château Beychevelle 2011 – Saint-Julien 4ème Grand Cru Classé

The nose is elegant and offers power in harmony, a fine powdery side, some airiness in its power as well as a fine grain. There are notes of crushed blackberry, fleshy/crushed strawberry and, more slightly, nutmeg, cinnamon, combined with hints of smoke, fairly ripe red berries, fine camphor, spices, a discreet hint of chocolate, as well as very discreet hints of caramelisation and a subtle, almost aniseed-like touch. The palate is fruity with minerality, acidity, a nice salinity, a nice freshness and good definition. On the palate this wine expresses juicy/very ripe blackberry, juicy/very ripe raspberry and more slightly saline minerality, red berries, blueberry, with hints of tobacco, star anise as well as fine hints of zan, sweet spices, nutmeg and discreet almost undergrowth. The tannins are racy. A nice iodine and toasted almond note on the finish.