Beychevelle, owners of one of the great terroirs of the northern Medoc, continues to produce wines that are frustratingly irregular in quality. A dark ruby color is followed by a wine revealing plenty of new oak, a touch of pepper, but very little of the vegetal character found in many Medoc 1993s. Spicy fruit is present, but the wine is austere and tannic, although elegant and subtle. Anticipated maturity: now-2006.