2010 Château Beychevelle, St Julien, Bordeaux

54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc.

There will be many ‘yin and yang’ statements made this year, with commentators and châteaux owners alike comparing last year with this, and nowhere is this more present and true than at Ch. Beychevelle. 2009 is soft, warm, seductive, and 2010 is firm, serious, yet totally beguiling. The 2009 will drink a lot younger than the 2010, but I have a serious hunch that the 2010 will ultimately give you more. Bravo, Philippe, an awe-inspiring brace from Beychevelle.

Berry Bros. & Rudd