Vinous 95-97 Points: The 2025 Beychevelle was picked from September 5 to 21 at 31 hl/ha, fairly reasonable for Saint-Julien this year, albeit the second lowest after 2013. Matured in 70% new oak, this has a concentrated nose with blackcurrants, blueberry, inkwell and light violet scents. Very fine definition, a Beychevelle that leans on the more opulent side aromatically, though always controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry that lends it sensuality. Extremely precise, exquisite pure fruit, quite mineral-driven with a very long, quite sensual finish. I don't think Philippe Blanc has overseen a Beychevelle as good as this. 13.4% alcohol. -Neal Martin

Vinous 95-97 Points: The 2025 Beychevelle is a very sexy wine. Plush and exuberant, the 2025 is seriously impressive right out of the gate. Blackberry, lavender, mocha, crème de cassis and a kick of French oak are all beautifully amplified in the glass. The blend is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, with the plush richness of the Merlot very much in evidence. There's a lot of wine here. The 2025 spent three weeks on the skins, more or less the norm here, but it also includes 13% press wine, a bit higher than most years. More than anything else, the 2025 is a wine of extreme pleasure. It is an exceptional Beychevelle, one of the finest in recent memory. -Antonio Galloni