Château Beychevelle

Identity

Château Beychevelle is an 1855 4th Grand Cru Classé located in the commune of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle in Gironde. It is currently owned through a partnership between the Castel Group and the Japanese group Suntory. Philippe Blanc is its managing director, Julien Ribas the cellar master, and Anthony Yaigre the oenologist.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Beychevelle began in 1565 with its first owner, François de Foix-Candale. The château was rebuilt in 1757 under the impetus of the Marquis de Brassier de Brudot. In the 19th century, Pierre-François Guestier and subsequently the Heine family—notably Armand Heine, who acquired the estate in 1874—played a major role in its development. The Achille-Fould family later owned the property for a large part of the 20th century.

In the late 1980s, the estate was acquired by Grands Millésimes de France. In 1995, Philippe Blanc was appointed technical director. The estate undertook the restoration of its architectural heritage at the end of the 20th century. In 2011, the property came under the joint control of Pierre Castel and the Suntory group. A new cellar was inaugurated in 2016. The estate is committed to sustainable viticulture and is HVE-certified. Part of the vineyard has been farmed organically since 2008.

Appellations

Château Beychevelle mainly produces wines under the Saint-Julien appellation. A cuvée is also crafted from a terroir located in the Haut-Médoc.

Practical information

Château Beychevelle is located in Saint-Julien, 33250. The estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)5 56 73 20 70 or by email at beychevelle@beychevelle.com.

The estate offers visits by appointment, from Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. These tours offer an immersion into the world of the château, from the French-style formal gardens to the contemporary cellar, highlighting the history, architecture, and lifestyle of the estate. Cellar-door sales are available. The estate also offers accommodation options.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Beychevelle vineyard extends over 90 hectares. It is characterised by deep Garonne gravel soils, typical of the Médoc. The grape varieties are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), complemented by Merlot (40%) and Petit Verdot (3%). The average vine age is 35 years. The planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare. Harvesting is carried out by hand.

Flagship cuvées

The grand vin, Château Beychevelle, is distinguished by a combination of power and elegance, offering a racy balance. It reveals notes of black fruit, spices, and subtle oak, accompanied by intense aromatic richness. Annual production for this cuvée is estimated at between 240,000 and 260,000 bottles.

The second wine, Amiral De Beychevelle, comes from a dedicated vineyard plot. It captivates with its vibrancy, floral and spicy nuances, freshness, and structured, silky tannins.

The estate also produces Brulières de Beychevelle, a direct and fruity wine crafted from a terroir in the Haut-Médoc. It displays aromas of blackcurrant, red fruit, and spices, with a round and balanced palate.

Vinification and ageing

The grand vin, Château Beychevelle, is aged for 18 months in oak barrels, with 70% new oak renewed each year.