Wine for sale: Château Beychevelle
Château Beychevelle
Located on a low plateau, the vineyard in AOC Saint-Julien adjoins the commune of Cussac. Most of the plots have soil similar to Latour, consisting of coarse gravel with the drainage enhanced by numerous channels. The chateau was built in 1565 by Bishop Francois de Foix-Candale. His niece, who inherited it, married Jean Louis de Nogaret de la Valette, first duke of Epernon, grand admiral of France and governor of Guyenne, close to King Henri III. The power and fame of the Duke were such that the boats which passed in front of the domain had to lower the sails in sign of allegiance, hence the name Beychevelle (meaning baisse la voile, or lower the sails in the local dialect). A new chateau was built in the middle of the 18th century by the Marquis de Brassier, Baron de Beychevelle. The property was classified fourth growth in 1855. Several owners succeeded one another until today: the Japanese Suntory and the Castel group are now co-shareholders of GMF (Grands Millésimes de France), which possesses among other things the Chateau Beychevelle. The vineyard extends over 90 hectares within an area of 250 hectares and the grape variety is composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It is managed through responsible farming. Château Beychevelle has become one of the best names from the Médoc region.
