The griffin-prowed boat on the Beychevelle label comes from a story about the Duc d'Épernon, Admiral of France, whose passing ships were said to lower their sails — baisse-voile — as they went by the château. It is one of the most recognisable labels in Bordeaux, which matters rather more when a bottle is being given than when it is being drunk.
Behind it stands a fourth growth of 1855 on the riverside gravel of Saint-Julien, the commune that reliably makes the most balanced wine in the Médoc: Cabernet-led, cedar and blackcurrant, never as austere as Pauillac nor as scented as Margaux. 1983 was a good if demanding vintage here, and Saint-Julien came through it in decent order.
Forty-three years later the fill and the label are both sound. As a gift it is legible at a glance — a beautiful bottle, a famous château, the right year on the front.
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Producer: Château Beychevelle
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Vintage: 1983
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Appellation: Saint-Julien AOC
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Format: 75cl
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Region: Bordeaux, France
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Style: Red
Where it is likely to be now. Saint-Julien 1983s from classified estates have aged steadily and this should still be holding, though at forty-three years it comes as a collectible bottle with no guarantee of drinkability.
Who it suits. The obvious present for a forty-third birthday where the bottle will sit on a shelf as often as it sits on a table, since few labels look this good unopened.
Condition. The merchant reports good condition across the board, with nothing noted against the label, capsule or fill.
Provenance. Bought to order from a professional European merchant. We check fill, label and capsule when the bottle reaches us and photograph it before it ships.
Delivered in 7 to 10 working days, tracked. Transit cover can be added at checkout.
Sold as a collectible item, as seen. No guarantee is given on drinkability.
