Château Beychevelle ‒ A Sensory Voyage Through History
- Song Wei
- Aug 27, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 10
As the golden rays of the sun gently kissed the vineyards, I arrived at Château Beychevelle, an estate rich with history and elegance, nestled in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation. After checking in at the reception office and with a bit of time before my guided tour commenced, I ventured into the estate’s park ‒ Parc du Château de Beychevelle conveniently located beside the reception. The expansive garden stretched out before me, offering a breathtaking view that extended all the way to the Gironde River in the distance. The vastness of the park, with its natural charm and unpretentious beauty, invited me to wander its pathways. Each step through the park felt like a journey back in time, the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant hum of bees adding a soothing soundtrack to this idyllic setting. With the château standing majestically in the background, I took a moment to soak in the splendour of the landscape, eagerly anticipating the sensory voyage through history that awaited me.
Soon after, my guided tour began, and Château Beychevelle revealed itself to be a treasure trove of legends that enhance its allure and historical significance. Each of these legends contributes to the rich tapestry of Château Beychevelle, creating a narrative as complex and delightful as the wines it produces. One of the most captivating tales dates back to the early 17th century, when the first Duke of Épernon owned the estate. His authority was so great that ships passing by the château on the Gironde River had to lower their sails in as a sign of allegiance. A mark of deep respect that gave the estate its emblem ‒ a ship with a griffin prow. Its name in Gascon, "Bêcha vêla," meaning "baisse voile” (lower sail); it would later become Beychevelle. This legend not only highlights the duke's influence but also captures the estate's maritime heritage.
Another enchanting story from Beychevelle's past involves the famous playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière. He was widely regarded as one of the great writers in the French language and world literature. During the time of the second Duke of Épernon, a great patron of arts, Molière and his troupe were guests at the château. The Duke's support of his plays created a vibrant cultural scene, and it is easy to imagine Molière performing his plays in the grand halls of Beychevelle, bringing joy and entertainment to the court and enriching the château's historical tapestry.
The château also has a romantic connection to Louisiana, thanks to Armand Heine and his wife, Marie-Amélie Kohn. In 1860, Armand Heine ‒ the owner of Beychevelle, went to Louisiana where he married Marie-Amélie Kohn. After suffering from severe seasickness on her honeymoon on the Mississippi, Marie-Amélie vowed never to set foot on a boat again once she arrived in France. To make her feel at home in France, Armand built a new left wing at the château. Marie-Amélie then had it furnished in a style reminiscent of her native Louisiana, blending elements of her heritage with the elegance of Beychevelle.
The legends of Beychevelle are just the beginning of its fascinating history, which features powerful families who left indelible marks on the estate. The château's story begins with its construction in 1565 by Bishop François of Foix-Candale. It gained prominence under the reign of the Dukes of Épernon of which the great admiral, Jean-Louis Nogaret de la Valette was the first. In 1757, the château was rebuilt by the Marquis de Brassier, and it underwent further expansion by the Heine family, who added their unique touch of elegance and innovation. The Achille-Fould family continued to enhance Beychevelle until 1986, ensuring its place among the most esteemed estates in Bordeaux. Since 2011, the château belongs to Grands Millésimes de France, which is owned by the Castel group from France, and the Suntory group from Japan.
Beychevelle's reputation for beauty and hospitality owes much to the remarkable women who shaped its history. Marie-Amélie Kohn, Madame Guestier, Madame Heine, Marie-Louise Fould, and Lillette (Elisabeth de Foucaud) each played crucial roles in developing the château's decorative style and welcoming atmosphere. Their contributions transformed Beychevelle into a haven of elegance and charm, where the gardens flourished, and the interiors reflected their refined taste. Their legacy is evident in the estate's continued allure and the high regard in which it is held today.
Building upon this foundation of elegance, the Heine family introduced a tradition of enhancing the château’s surroundings to provide a warm and refined welcome for guests. Monsieur Heine oversaw the leveling of the front courtyard and the decoration of the gates, while Madame Heine created a fairy-tale landscape in the garden. She filled it with sculptures, a conservatory of exotic plants, and an aviary of tropical birds, connected by beautiful pathways. This tradition of embellishment was upheld by subsequent owners, leading Robert Parker to remark that "Beychevelle’s wines can be as beautiful as its magnificent gardens."
Château Beychevelle boasts an extensive estate of 250 hectares with approximately 90 hectares dedicated to its prized vineyards. The remaining land is a picturesque mix of grassland, where Limousin cows graze, and diverse woodlands filled with pine, poplar, ash and walnut trees. This diverse landscape not only adds to the beauty of the estate but also supports a balanced ecosystem.
Equally vital to its identity is the terroir of Château Beychevelle ‒ a crucial element in its production of exceptional wines, shaped by the Médoc's unique climate and the meticulous care of its winemakers. The estate's proximity to the Gironde River, visible from the château's front steps, plays a significant role in regulating and protecting the vineyard's microclimate. At the heart of Château Beychevelle's vineyard are two plateaus composed of deep Garonne gravel from the Gunzian period, situated on the edge of the Gironde. These gravelly hilltops are renowned in the Médoc for offering the best conditions for cultivating classic Bordeaux varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. The gravel soils are exceptional at re-radiating the sun's warmth during the night and effectively draining excess rainwater, ensuring that the vines can flourish and the grapes can ripen sufficiently. This unique combination of soil and microclimate results in deep red wines that are well-balanced and generous, characterised by their power and tempered with a silky texture.
The vineyards themselves are a testament to careful cultivation and respect for tradition. The vines are densely planted at a density of 8,300 to 10,000 vines per hectare. They have developed substantial root systems, allowing them to access nutrients deep in the soil and withstand challenging weather conditions, such as summer droughts. This resilience is crucial for maintaining the quality and consistency of the grapes. Three traditional grape varieties of the Médoc are being planted at Château Beychevelle: 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. Notably, no Malbec is planted here. The estate once incorporated Cabernet Franc into their blend, but due to its inability to achieve proper ripeness, it was used in blends until the 2022 vintage only. Most of it is now being removed and replaced with more Petit Verdot for future blends.
The careful selection of grape varieties for each plot is guided by the specific characteristics and constraints of the terroir. This tailored approach ensures that each grape variety thrives in its optimal environment, contributing to the overall quality of the wine. Manual harvesting at Château Beychevelle allows for meticulous selection and sorting of the grapes. Only the best grapes are retained for vinification and blending ‒ a process that reflects the estate's commitment to excellence. The estate is also dedicated to preserving its environment and terroir. This commitment is evident in the estate's daily practices, which are guided by its ISO 14001 certification, its HVE (High Environmental Value) level 4 award, and a sustainable agriculture approach known as viticulture raisonnée. While not fully organic, this practice emphasises sustainability and environmental responsibility. This dedication ensures that the unique characteristics of Château Beychevelle's terroir are protected and maintained for future generations.
My visit continued to the new winery. Inspired by the legend of the first Duke of Épernon and the world of sailing, Château Beychevelle’s new winery, built in 2016, is a manifestation of innovation and quality. Designed by architect Arnaud Boulain, the winery features modern cubic shapes and large windows, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional capabilities. This state-of-the-art facility underscores the château's commitment to excellence, ensuring that the meticulous work of its teams continues to produce wines of the highest quality. The new winery invites visitors to embark on a journey through the rich history and promising future of Château Beychevelle, where tradition and modernity sail together harmoniously.
At the heart of this modern facility lies the emblem of Château Beychevelle, designed by the Achille-Fould family. The emblem features a ship with a griffin prow, chosen for its symbolism as the protector of the Greek god Dionysus, reflecting a belief that the griffin watches over and safeguards the wine production. This tribute to the river boats (gabare) once used until the 1970s to carry barrels along the Gironde River to the Bordeaux port. The sail of this emblematic ship, crafted from rice paper, pays homage to the château's Japanese owner, Suntory, adding a layer of cultural connection to the emblem’s rich historical significance.
The new winery boasts 60 stainless steel tanks, enabling a precise plot-by-plot vinification process that allows each terroir to express its full complexity and depth. Among these, the cone-shaped stainless steel tanks play a crucial role in enhancing the extraction process, giving the wine more body, colour, tannin and aroma intensity. To ensure the highest quality, only grapes that are at least 15 years old are used for vinification, with the average age of the vines around 35 years old. The vinification process begins with cold maceration, followed by alcoholic fermentation. The winery employs traditional cap management techniques such as punching down first, then pumping over three times a day, and finishing with rack and return (délestage) at the end of alcoholic fermentation.
Next, I had the opportunity to visit the ageing cellar, a space designed with remarkable attention to detail. The ceiling of the room is crafted to resemble the bottom of a gabare, paying homage to the historic river boats. This design element creates a unique ambiance, linking past traditions with contemporary winemaking practices. The ageing cellar houses 800 barrels, each playing a crucial role in the maturation process. Notably, the ceiling features strategically placed holes, allowing for a seamless transition of wine from the vat room above. Once vinified, the wine is transferred through these holes and piping directly into the barrels below, ensuring minimal disturbance and preserving the quality of the wine.
The grand vin of Château Beychevelle is aged in 70% new French oak, contributing to its complexity and depth, while the second label Amiral de Beychevelle is aged in 20-30% new French oak. Additionally, the estate is experimenting with clay amphorae, exploring innovative methods to further refine and enrich their wine. Each single variety is first aged separately for three months, allowing its distinct characteristics to develop fully. Following this period, the wines are analysed, tasted, blended and continue their maturation in the barrels. To achieve the desired clarity and stability, the wine is fined using egg whites and bentonite clay. These traditional fining agents help to polish the wine, ensuring that it is both visually appealing and balanced in flavour.
The guided tour concluded with a tasting of three exceptional wines, each showcasing the estate's dedication to quality and craftsmanship. The session began with the Amiral de Beychevelle 2018 vintage, the second label of the château. This wine, composed of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, exhibited high acidity and ripe fruit flavours. Its approachable profile makes it an excellent choice for everyday drinking, offering a balanced and enjoyable experience.
Next, I sampled the Château Beychevelle 2017, marking the first vintage produced in the new winery. This wine presents a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. The 2017 vintage was notable for its pronounced black fruit aromas and medium acidity. Emphasis was placed on its impressive length and finish.
Finally, I tasted the Château Beychevelle 2007, a classic Left Bank blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. This wine featured an orange hue and offered a leathery aroma with pronounced secondary and tertiary notes. It displayed a lack of primary fruit and had lower acidity, which was lower than the 2017 vintage. While the 2007 vintage might seem to have peaked and could be in decline, its appeal lies in its developed complexity and the nuanced tertiary notes that some wine enthusiasts particularly appreciate. This highlights how personal preference plays a significant role in the enjoyment of aged wines.
As the guided tour and tasting session came to an end, I reflected on the rich history and craftsmanship that defines this esteemed estate. From the historical significance embedded in the architecture and winemaking practices to the sensory delight of tasting their exquisite wines, Château Beychevelle truly offers a voyage through time. Each aspect of the estate, from the innovative new winery to the traditional ageing methods, serves as a testament to their dedication to excellence. This journey not only celebrated the heritage of Château Beychevelle but also showcased its forward-thinking approach to winemaking. As I left the estate, it was clear that Château Beychevelle continues to blend tradition and innovation, ensuring that every bottle remains a timeless masterpiece.
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