The second wine of this terrific estate, which has been playing with the stars of the appellation for several years now, the 2020 Amiral De Beychevelle checks in as 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It gives up a rich, juicy nose of ripe red and blue fruits, spring flowers, Christmas spice, and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it's nicely textured, has velvety tannins, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. I don't think it's one of the top second wines out there, but it's still certainly an outstanding wine I'd be happy to have on the table.

The 2020 Amiral de Beychevelle, bottled at the end of March 2022, had a Margaux-like bouquet out of barrel, but in bottle, it seems to revert to Saint-Julien with black fruit, tobacco, tea leaves and bay leaf. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit. It's gained a bit of weight during its elevage while retaining freshness and sapidity on the finish. This has meliorated and deserves higher than my banded primeur score.