2008 Chateau Beychevelle Saint Julien (Pre-Arrival)

Good full ruby. Initially dusty, herbal aromas of dark plum and flowers are nicely complicated by hints of soy sauce and Chinese spices. A juicy midweight with a fine-grained texture and a restrained sweetness to its blackcurrant and mineral flavors. Not a big wine but stylish, with very polished tannins and a long, graceful finish. Could use a little more concentration but this very nicely made, pure wine is immediately recognizable as Saint-Julien-and should turn out to be one of the best Beychevelles of the past ten years.