Château Beychevelle 4ème Cru Classé St Julien, St Julien, 2014

The 2014 growing season was defined by a beautiful Indian summer following a cool start to the year, and at Beychevelle the result was fruit of genuine finesse rather than the concentrated richness of 2015. The Merlot-heavy blend of 2014 delivers a wine of fleshy, generous character on a firm graphite spine: plum and blackberry compote on the nose, with anise and roasted wood adding complexity. On the palate, the structure is present but yielding, the acidity cleanly integrated, the fruit persistent through an accessible, honest finish. A reliable, well-made Saint-Julien from a year that rewarded patience during the harvest.