Country: France Region: Bordeaux  Varietal: 90% Merlot , 10% Cabernet Franc Vintage: 2016/17 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Chateau Beychevelle Description: The ships depicted on the label of Château Beychevelle supposedly recall a custom of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries whereby boats passing up the estuary would salute the Duc d'Epernon, owner of Beychevelle at the time, by lowering their sails. An alternative version is that the sails were lowered to allow the boats to slip by unnoticed and so avoid paying the toll levied by the duke. Either way, Beychevelle has a long and distinguished history of making smooth, supple wine which ages extremely well. Hugh Johnson finds the character of the wine evokes "the better class of English country house; Blandings must have bulged with it". Tasting Note: Grand Bateau is a project by Château Beychevelle (hence their famous boat motif on the label), who are responsible for producing some of St-Julien's best wines. 75% of the juice is fermented and aged in oak barrels, adding complexity and richness - a great price for a quality wine from one of Bordeaux's most famous winemaking teams. Food Matches: Beef / Lamb / Casseroles