Everyone loves a good story — and Château Beychevelle has a good one to tell. A wine producer since the Middle Ages, Beychevelle took on its current name, which means baisse voile (lower the sails), after being acquired by the first Duke of Epernon through marriage in the early 17th century. As a Grand- Admiral of France and a confidante of King Henry III, all ships lowered their sails as a sign of respect when passing the estate.
A patron of the arts, the second Duke of Epernon added to the legend of Beychevelle by inviting actors such as the young Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, otherwise known as Molière, to stay and perform at the château.
Sold a myriad of times over the years, Bordeaux’s most impressive property — it’s not called the Versailles of the Médoc for nothing — is now owned by Grands Millésimes de France, a subsidiary of the Castel and Suntory groups, both massive players in today’s international wine and spirits market.
As much as the 4ème Cru Classé could coast on its oft-rehashed myth and legend, the wine quality has improved, especially over the last decade and certainly since it completed its new cellars in 2016. “A quiet revolution” is how Bordeaux reviewer Jane Anson described the winemaking efforts after a vertical tasting at the château. Today’s grand vin is a powerful, fleshy, and structured wine, and is one of Bordeaux’s most top traded wines with a price performance mirroring demand.
The constant over the last quarter century has been Managing Director Philippe Blanc who has ensured the pursuit of quality has remained in balance with preserving the ecology of its vineyard, parks, and prairies for future generations. During his recent visit to Singapore, he spoke with The Peak.
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