A wonderfully balanced vintage, now limbering up to drink. Effortless and enjoyable, not as much depth as some 2005 St Juliens, nor in more recent (post 2009) vintages of Beychevelle, but it has classic appellation signature, with tobacco, cassis, strawberry, saffron strands. Should stay on this plateau for a good decade or more. Tasted twice in two weeks. 42hl/h yield, harvest September 21 to October 6.

Much better than the previous bottle tasted, this was a lot of fun to have in my glass. The fruit was ripe, the tannins were polished the aromatics too time to get going, but once they did, the cedar, tobacco, thyme, cassis, earth, spice and blackberry aromatics were right where they needed to be. The wine had ample concentration and length, all it needs is more time in the cellar in the cellar to develop its nuances and textures. Else, give it a few hours of air, if you cannot wait. 93 Points Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2005&wine=Chateau%20Beychevelle

The Grand Vin, the 2005 Beychevelle is a gorgeous wine, with plenty of crème de cassis, floral notes, underbrush and forest floor. It is sweet and medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannin and beautiful texture and purity. Drink it over the next 20 years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Very much in an elegant style, this wine shows soft, almost velvet tannins supporting the ripe fruit. It has richness, a round character masking the dense texture, and setting off the clean red berry fruits and fresh acidity. ROGER VOSS

The 2005 vintage produced a seductive effort from Beychevelle, with lush plum and mulberry fruit accented with pepper and anise on the nose. The dense, silky texture hints at the relatively large proportion of Merlot in the blend (46%), which was picked beginning 21 September. The supple, velvety feel on the palate continues straight through the luxuriant finish.

The 2005 Beychevelle has an attractive nose with brambly red fruit, marmalade, cedar and light leather aromas. This is just a little rustic, yet full of vigor and presence. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Solid and muscular, it comes across a little uncouth compared to more recent, more refined vintages, though it has an attractive spicy, black pepper-infused finish. Drinking well now, it should give another decade of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Beychevelle vertical at the property. -- Neal Martin

We hit Beychevelle at a fragrant, gentle moment in its evolution. With a few hours of air, the wine was a lithe beauty, its cool red fruit giving a soft, sculpted feel. My notes are all about elegance, finesse and restraint-similar to the harmony this showed en primeur. With another day of air, the power of the tannins shows more directly, tarry and strong enough to sustain this wine for a decade or more.

The Château Beychevelle 2005 has a comparatively rich and opulent bouquet, which is quite unexpected, offering with sensual, ripe black cherry and boysenberry fruit, fresh mint and licorice. It has retained that pastille-like purity. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, good acidity, dense black fruit laced with white pepper, building gently...