Andrew Jefford | Dark black-red. Warm and enticing, with a sense of cream and oatmeal wealth floating behind the shapely blackcurrants; refined, poised, and classical. On the palate, too, that same floating warmth and lift of flavor is evident, with much better concentration and resonance of fruit than many of its peers have. The tannins are very fine here: ample but finely milled. Beychevelle has managed to imbue its 2015 with a gorgeousness and an amplitude of ripeness that has eluded many of its Médoc peers: well done. Yet at the same time, it is graceful enough and light on its feet enough to appeal to any classicist. | 93

Michael Schuster | Subtly mineral and ripe fruit nose; fairly full medium-weight wine, fresh, finely tannic, very nicely balanced; tasty, brisk, aromatic St-Julien with good length; austere for the moment, needing bottle age. Very good without being really special—the effect of the rains? 2027–40+. | 92