Aged for around 18 months in barrel, 60% new and 40% second fill, the 2018 Beychevelle needs a fair bit of swirling to release classic notes of cassis, plum preserves and ripe blackberries, with emerging suggestions of unsmoked cigars, tilled soil and cedar chest, plus a waft of pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate is still very tightly wound, offering finely packed black fruit and earthy layers within a frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. This will need a good 5-6 years to come around and then will drink beautifully over the next 20+ years.

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Beychevelle wafts sensuously from the glass with fragrant Black Forest cake, potpourri, star anise and black tea scents over a core of black raspberries, warm blackcurrants and kirsch with touches of fallen leaves and lavender. Full-bodied and packed with fragrant red and black fruit layers, it has a firm, velvety texture and fantastic freshness lifting the very long, perfumed finish. Beautiful! Anticipated time in barrel is 18 months, 60% new and 40% second fill. The tentative blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 2019, The Wine Advocate

This is a dark, deep colour that perfectly reflects the rich blackberry and bilberry fruits on the nose. I really have noticed that Beychevelle has raised its game over the last few vintages and it's maintaining that step-up here. The 2018 is built to age, and will do so with very little trouble. It has violet edging, a good ripe tannic structure and is full of life. It's rounded in terms of mouthfeel, smoothed out but not knocked off balance by the alcohol. It may be approachable earlier than usual perhaps, but with class, ambition and St-Julien signature. A yield of 55hl/ha, with 50% of production going into the grand vin. 60% new oak. - www.decanter.com, Jane Anson, April 2019

The 2018 Beychevelle is an exceptional, utterly vivid wine. Deep and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2018 has so much to offer. Super-ripe black cherry, crème de cassis, licorice, new oak and chocolate infuse this unctuous, spectacularly ripe Saint-Julien. Beychevelle is exotic, flamboyant and full-throttle, not to mention absolutely stunning. The high presence of Merlot in the blend gives Beychevelle much of its sensuality. What a wine! The 2018 is 50% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times. - Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, May 2019

Impressively structured and ripe with firm, bold tannins which carry a sweet edge of ripe red and black fruit. Dense and impactful, polished and intense. This is a big wine packed with stuffing but which still has plenty of energy. Beychevelle on a roll. - April 2019

This is concentrated with a solid core of fruit, yet it’s energetic and driven with plenty of pretty and forceful tannins. Dusty texture. Persistent finish. - jamessuckling.com, April 2019

50% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby colour. Pure, attractive cassis on the nose. The palate is smooth with remarkably resolved tannins for this early stage. Oozing with cassis and hints of nutmeg, this seductive and soft wine will be approachable from an early stage. (TP)

50% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc; 60% new oak. Barrel sample. Inky crimson. Lively elderberry-like tangy fruit on the nose. Thickly textured and rather oaky on the palate, slightly monolithic at this stage. Could do with a bit more freshness overall. (JH)

Inky crimson. Lively elderberry-like tangy fruit on the nose. Thickly textured and rather oaky on the palate, slightly monolithic at this stage. Could do with a bit more freshness overall.Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, April 2019