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Château Beychevelle: Two wines from different appellations under one name
This is a château in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux. In addition to producing red wine from the gravelly plateau near the Gironde estuary, it also makes Brulières de Beychevelle from vineyards in the Haut-Médoc located further south.
List the appellations and the 2021 blend and new barrel percentages for both labels, and explain that this is not a simple regional comparison.
Questions for this course
Is Brulières also a wine of Saint-Julien?
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To explanation task notes ↓Château Beychevelle / Learn from the producers
France / Bordeaux / Saint-Julien
Also known as / Label: Château Beychevelle / シャトー ベイシュヴェル
Updated: 2026-10-07
Change of vineyard location
Château Beychevelle is Saint-Julien, but the Brulières vineyard lies about 5 km south in Cussac-Fort-Médoc and its appellation is Haut-Médoc. Always verify the origin of each wine before focusing on the producer’s name.
Compare the 2021 blends
Beychevelle 2021 is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Brulières is 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Even in the same year, the dominant variety is reversed.
Aged separately as well
Brulières 2021 is matured for 12 months in a separate cellar with 30% new oak. In contrast, Beychevelle 2021 has a new oak proportion of 70%. Since not only the blend but also the maturation conditions differ in addition to the region, the difference in taste between these two wines cannot be attributed to terroir alone.
What to align and what to compare.
Geography
- Conditions to standardize
- The same producer.
- Conditions for comparison.
- Saint-Julien and Haut-Médoc
- Additional points to confirm
- Ingredient Location
Blending
- Conditions to standardize
- 2021
- Conditions for comparison.
- Main variety and auxiliary varieties
- Additional points to confirm
- Proportion by year
Aging
- Conditions to standardize
- The same vintage.
- Conditions for comparison.
- New barrel ratio and cellar
- Additional points to confirm
- Conditions other than region
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Reading Château Beychevelle’s materials: Two ‘Beychevelle’ wines from different appellations
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Comparison tables are based on the cited sources. Please distinguish between vintage-specific specifications and general descriptions at the time of confirmation.
| Comparison items | Beychevelle 2021 | Brulières 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Appellation | Saint-Julien | Haut-Médoc |
| The two main varieties | CS 57% • Merlot 38% | CS 35% • Merlot 65% |
| New oak rate | 70% | 30% |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What is the appellation for Brulières?
Château Beychevelle is Saint-Julien, but the Brulières vineyard lies about 5 km south in Cussac-Fort-Médoc and its appellation is Haut-Médoc. Always verify the origin of each wine before focusing on the producer’s name.
What is the main variety of Brulières 2021?
Beychevelle 2021 is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Brulières is 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Even in the same year, the dominant variety is reversed.
What is the proportion of new oak in Brulières 2021?
Brulières 2021 is matured for 12 months in a separate cellar with 30% new oak. In contrast, Beychevelle 2021 has a new oak proportion of 70%. Since not only the blend but also the maturation conditions differ in addition to the region, the difference in taste between these two wines cannot be attributed to terroir alone.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Beychevelle 2021 | Brulières 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Appellation | Saint-Julien | Haut-Médoc |
| The two main varieties | CS 57% • Merlot 38% | CS 35% • Merlot 65% |
| New oak rate | 70% | 30% |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
List the appellations and the 2021 blend and new barrel percentages for both labels, and explain that this is not a simple regional comparison.
Check after writing
- Did you associate each label with its region and grape variety?
- Did you separate the shared and differing conditions in your comparison?
- Did you clearly indicate the year(s) the material covers or the date checked?
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