2011 Amiral de Beychevelle, St. Julien

Château Beychevelle is a 4ème Cru Classé St-Julien wine property that boasts one of the most impressive châteaux in the whole of the Médoc. Its label depicts a beautiful galley with a large sail, as a consequence of its ownership in the 16th century by the Duc d`Eperon, Admiral of France at the time. The expression "Baisse-Vaille", meaning "lower sails", later evolved into the name Beychevelle. Today the property is owned by Grands Millésimesde France.

Beychevelle's 85 hectares of vineyards are located in the far south of the St-Julien appellation, just outside the hamlet of St-Julien-Beychevelle. The wine is typically a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. It is matured in oak barrels (50-60% new) for 18 months. It is renowned for its suppleness, smoothness and its rich, and sometimes chocolatey character.

The best examples from the best Beychevelle vintages are powerful and concentrated, with oodles of almost sweet, ultra-ripe Cabernet fruit, and can age effortlessly.

Freisa is a red wine grape variety from the north-eastern Italian region of Piedmont. It is responsible for two quite different types of wine, from two seperate clones.

The first style, usually made from the Freisa Grossa clone, tends to be light and fruity, often made slightly frizzante and with a little residual sugar. This makes an excellent party or summer lunch wine.

The second, rather more serious style of wine is made from the Freisa Piccolo clone. This style is usually fermented to dryness and is completely still, has good body, violet and raspberry fruit flavours, good tannin and acidity and is capable of ageing for up to 10 years. A very good example of this style is Giuseppe Mascarello's version called Toetto.