Deep ruby-violet. Explosive, pure blackberry, boysenberry and black cherry scents show no musty or green notes--something that is not altogether rare in many less-successful 2013 Bordeaux. Broad, deep and velvety for the year, with seamless dark berry and graphite flavors given gentle support by soft, ripe tannins. The persistent finish features smooth tannins and a lingering echo of boysenberry. A fairly sexy rather than refined Beychevelle.

The 2013 Beychevelle has a light, leafy nose, a little tertiary in style, certainly with less fruit than other vintages, as you might expect from this challenging one. The palate is medium-bodied with light blackberry, bilberry and white pepper scents, attenuating a little sharply towards the finish. But it's not bad by any means - I would still drink this off-vintage Beychevelle and perhaps it has improved in the last couple of years?

Retains a memory of redcurrant and raspberry fruit, gentle with skilful hands off winemaking that doesnt push too hard, this is charming with fine tannins, very much ready to drink, cloves dominant on the finish, suggesting the judicious use of oak was not fully balanced by depth of fruit. An unusual blend, reflecting the challenges of the vintage, harvest October from 1 to 10, 60% new oak.

Healthy crimson. Hint of ashes on the nose. Sweet start. Well disguised! This would stand up to scrutiny in a restaurant in Asia. Quite vigorous. Good effort with perceptible fruit. Is this 100% 2013? (JR)

Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Perfumed with sweet oak and dark fruit. But a little bit hard on the palate and gets tougher on second taste. (JH)