Amiral de Beychevelle Saint Julien 2020 750ml

91-93 The second wine of this terrific estate, which has been playing with the stars of the appellation for several years now, the 2020 Amiral De Beychevelle checks in as 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It gives up a rich, juicy nose of ripe red and blue fruits, spring flowers, Christmas spice, and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it’s nicely textured, has velvety tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. I don’t think it’s one of the top second wines out there, but it’s still certainly an outstanding wine I’d be happy to have on the table.

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Saint Julien
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.