A 'Cabernet Vintage' at Bordeaux's Château Beychevelle

The 2023 Bordeaux barrel tastings begin with a strong lineup of Cabernet- and Merlot-based reds from St.-Julien's Beychevelle

Château Beychevelle's new winery in Bordeaux
Château Beychevelle got a new winemaking facility in 2016.

Bordeaux's annual en primeur tastings have begun, when the most recent vintage is tasted for the first time. Wine Spectator's James Molesworth is in Bordeaux, tasting the 2023 wines from barrel at some of the region's top estates and sharing his tasting notes. His first visit is to Château Beychevelle in St.-Julien for a look at the newest wines in barrel, and a vertical tasting of the grand vin back to 2018.

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