波爾多頂級酒莊Château Beychevelle是擁有超過三個世紀的著名酒莊，因為酒標上的帆船圖案而被華人圈暱稱為「龍船堡」。在法國國王亨利三世在位時，Beychevelle莊園是歷任艾伯儂公爵(Dukes of Epernon)的產業，特別是首位艾伯儂公爵Jean-Louis Nogaret de la Valette (1554-1642)，他曾經身兼海軍上將以及波爾多所在的Guyenne行省的總督，因此在當時從這個城堡前航行過的船隻都要降下船帆向他敬禮，從法文的「降下船帆(Baisse-Voile)」衍生成本酒莊的名稱Beychevelle。
本酒莊在進入21世紀之後，本酒莊頗有奮起之勢，除了屢屢獲得酒評家們的高分評價之外，在亞洲市場也大受歡迎；Parker評論說新近一些年份的Beychevelle傾向於接近Margaux的細緻風格。
WA:2019 - 2032
The Château Beychevelle 2014 is a blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 51% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. You might notice the high percentage of Merlot. This is because of the flowering, decisions made during blending and the low yield of the Cabernet Sauvignon. It was cropped at 38 hectoliters per hectare between 25 September and 14 October during what the estate recorded as the driest September since 1961. That Merlot governs the aromatics here, the fruit clearly towards the red side of the fruit spectrum: cranberry and wild strawberry, almost Right Bank in style. The palate is ripe and fleshy, nicely defined with tensile tannins. I appreciate the nascent harmony here, with fine precision and a long sustained finish with fine salinity. You could argue that pinning your hopes on Merlot when so many others proselytize Cabernet Sauvignon was a risk however, in this showing it was a risk that was worth taking. "Pomerol does Saint Julien" perhaps? It seems to work on what may be the most seductive Beychevelle for years.
