Château Beychevelle
シャトー・ベイシュヴェル
1855 Médoc 4th Grand Cru Classé. 90 hectares of vines on deep Garonne gravel. Meticulous triple-sorting and plot-by-plot vinification. The legendary 'lower sails' château with a griffin emblem. Can age 20–40+ years in the best vintages.
Château Beychevelle is a Fourth Growth (4ème Grand Cru Classé) estate in the Saint-Julien appellation, classified in the historic 1855 Médoc hierarchy. The château's name derives from the Old French 'Baisse-Voile' (lower sails), as ships passing the estate were required to lower their sails in tribute to Jean-Louis Nogaret de La Valette, Admiral of France and Duke of Épernon, who owned the property during the reign of Henri III. Today the château's emblem features a ship with a griffin on its prow — the mythological guardian of Dionysus' wine crater. Built in the 17th century and reconstructed in 1757 by Marquis de Brassier in a style that earned it the nickname 'the Versailles of the Médoc', the estate today encompasses 90 hectares of vines on deep Garonne gravel terroir. Winemaking is meticulous: manual and selective harvesting with triple sorting (at the plot, upon reception, and optical sorting), plot-by-plot vinification to express optimal terroir, and 18 months of aging in oak barrels with 50% new oak renewal per year.
www.beychevelle.com ↗Cuvées
アミラル・ド・ベイシュヴェル
Amiral de Beychevelle
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Cabernet Franc · Petit Verdot
Amiral de Beychevelle is the second wine (second label) of the prestigious Fourth Growth (4ème Grand Cru Classé) Château Beychevelle in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. Crafted primarily from younger vines and barrels not selected for the Grand Vin, it reflects the elegance, finesse, and classic structure of this renowned estate. The wine's name pays homage to the Admiral of France who owned Château Beychevelle during the reign of Henri III — the same legend behind the château's name (ships were required to lower their sails in tribute). It offers supple tannins, vibrant dark fruit notes, and refined aromatic complexity at a more approachable stage than the Grand Vin, making it an excellent introduction to the excellence of Saint-Julien wines.
シャトー・ベイシュヴェル
Château Beychevelle
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Cabernet Franc · Petit Verdot
Château Beychevelle is a prestigious Fourth Growth (4ème Grand Cru Classé) estate located in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Médoc, Bordeaux. Known as the 'Versailles of the Médoc' for its magnificent 18th-century château and immaculately maintained gardens, the estate produces wines of exceptional elegance, finesse, and aromatic complexity. The terroir — deep Garonne gravel soils overlooking the Gironde estuary — imparts a silky texture and refined tannins. The Grand Vin is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (approximately 53%), complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Meticulous parcel selection, triple sorting, and 18 months of aging in French oak barrels (50% new) ensure only the finest expression of each vintage.
Who Is This For?
For collectors and serious Bordeaux lovers seeking classic Médoc structure with elegance. Perfect for those who want a prestigious classified growth that delivers consistent quality across vintages without the astronomical prices of the top classified growths.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Château Beychevelle called 'lower sails'?
- The name derives from the Old French 'Baisse-Voile'. When Admiral Jean-Louis Nogaret de La Valette, Duke of Épernon, owned the estate in the 16th century, all ships passing on the Gironde were required to lower their sails as a sign of respect to this powerful naval commander. This legend is immortalized in the château's emblem showing a ship with a griffin on its prow.
- What is the 1855 classification ranking of Château Beychevelle?
- Château Beychevelle is classified as a Fourth Growth (4ème Grand Cru Classé) in the historic 1855 Médoc Classification, placing it among the 61 greatest châteaux of Bordeaux's left bank.
- How are the wines at Château Beychevelle made?
- Grapes are harvested manually and selectively by variety, terroir, and vine age. They undergo triple sorting: at the plot, upon arrival at the winery, and by optical sorter. All wines are vinified plot by plot to express each terroir optimally. The grand vin is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 50% new oak renewed each year.
- What is Château Beychevelle's second wine?
- The second wine is called Amiral de Beychevelle (Admiral of Beychevelle), a nod to the estate's naval history. It offers the same careful viticulture as the grand vin but can be enjoyed younger, with drinking windows typically of 8–15 years from vintage.
- How long can Château Beychevelle be aged?
- The grand vin begins to reveal its true character after 10 years. In exceptional vintages (2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2019), it can be cellared for 30–40 years or more, developing complex tertiary aromas of tobacco, leather, truffle, and cedar.