2010 Chateau Beychevelle

ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau Beychevelle has one of the richest histories in the Medoc, tracing its roots back to the 14th Century when a feudal castle belonging to the Foix family occupied the site. The reputation of the estate flourished under the innovative and respected Pierre-Francois Guestier, leading to Fifth Growth status in 1855 despite never being mentioned in any of the previous unofficial classifications of Bordeaux. The estate was then sold to the French pension fund, GMF in the 1980s who proceeded to sell 40% to a Japanese group. It was under this corporate ownership that much needed investment was made in the Estate and the wines of Beychevelle have begun to return to the glory years of the 19th Century.

TASTING NOTES
Medium-bodied; cassis, herbs and cranberry fruit; somewhat austere in style, with lead pencil and cedar notes. A wine which will soften with time.

FOOD PAIRING
Great with lamb, aged hard cheese or poultry and vegetables.

FRIARWOOD SAYS
A lighter option from the left-bank; terroir-driven winemaking from a gorgeous chateau overlooking the historic anchorage at the mouth of the Gironde.