The 2008 Beychevelle has a lifted, graphite and tertiary scented bouquet, gaining intensity with aeration, a subtle mulch-like aroma tucked beneath the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, blackberry and bilberry fruit laced with cedar. It feels quite solid towards the back end with an insistent grip. As such, it is not a refined Beychevelle, but it is structured and a candidate for long-term ageing. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)
vinous.com, Feb 2018

Red-ruby. Perfumed aromas of redcurrant, licorice, chocolate, flowers and baking spices. Classic taut claret, showing insidious intensity without weight. Juicy, nicely delineated flavors of redcurrant, black cherry, pepper and herbs. Finishes vibrant and persistent, with ripe, dusty tannins and a lingering note of redcurrant.

This ageworthy, elegant, well-made Beychevelle displays copious red and black cherry fruit notes intertwined with dusty, loamy soil and oak undertones, decent acidity, moderate tannin and impressive intensity as well as length. Give it 1-3 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the next 15-18 years. 89+ Pts, Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 194, May 2011

Made in a seductive, soft, charming style, the 2008 Beychevelle is destined to be drunk during its first 15 years of life. It is a sensual St.-Julien offering pretty raspberry and cranberry fruit as well as hints of darker fruits on the palate. With soft tannins and good purity, this is a medium-bodied, well-made, evolved, forward 2008. 88-90 Pts, Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 182, Apr 2009

This ageworthy, elegant, well-made Beychevelle displays copious red and black cherry fruit notes intertwined with dusty, loamy soil and oak undertones, decent acidity, moderate tannin and impressive intensity as well as length. Give it 1-3 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the next 15-18 years.

Good full ruby. Initially dusty, herbal aromas of dark plum and flowers are nicely complicated by hints of soy sauce and Chinese spices. A juicy midweight with a fine-grained texture and a restrained sweetness to its blackcurrant and mineral flavors. Not a big wine but stylish, with very polished tannins and a long, graceful finish. Could use a little more concentration but this very nicely made, pure wine is immediately recognizable as Saint-Julien-and should turn out to be one of the best Beychevelles of the past ten years.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Warm, broad and toasty on the nose. A little brutal but with good, vigorous, sufficiently ripe fruit. Very dry, bristling, ‘masculine’ fruit. Quite long. Not a charmer but set for the long term. (JR)

Less expressive than the 2012, perhaps a little tame in terms of complexity. Chewy yet balanced, higher acid than the 2012 and 2015, leaving it a little lean. A very classic style of claret. (RH)