Winemaker Notes
Founded in the 17th Century, this 4th Grand Cru Classé was broken up and scattered as a result of several inheritances. In 1982, through a combination of luck and persistence, Henri Martin managed to re-form the estate as it was known in 1855, the year of the famous classification. Since then, thanks to the owners’ commitment, Saint-Pierre has become universally known as a perfect representative of the Saint-Julien Grands Crus Classés.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Cloves, black pepper, damson, oak swirl and vanilla bean, definitely a more complex and confident nose than many - and the profusion of aromatics adds layers to the wine but doesn't overpower. As the wine opens in the glass, you get attractive raspberry and cassis notes, and an uplift or crushed mint freshness held together with fine tannins. Far from a blockbuster year in St-Julien but this is one of the best; impressive En Primeur and moving up a notch at this point.
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Jeb Dunnuck
From an estate owned by the same family as Chateau Gloria, the inky hued 2017 Chateau Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is a big, full-bodied, impressive 2017 that has subtle oak as well as lots of cassis, white flowers, burning embers, and charcoal aromas. I love its texture, it has ripe tannins, and it’s just a balanced, complete Saint-Julien that will evolve for 20-25 years. This cuvee is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak.
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Wine Spectator
Focused, showing red and black currant preserve flavors driving along, with a racy graphite streak. Fresh acidity keeps it all moving through the anise-tinged finish. Should be delightful when released.
Barrel Sample: 91-94 -
James Suckling
Attractive, ripe red and dark berries here with spicy oak. Nicely played. The palate has deep, fleshy blueberries and rich plums and a wealth of supple, pliable tannin. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Saint-Pierre is a little reticent, giving glimpses at warm cassis, baked plums, tobacco and pencil shavings notes with a touch of forest floor. Medium-bodied with a muscular core of sustained black fruit, it has a grainy frame and plenty of freshness, finishing with impressive length. The blend is currently 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.
Barrel Sample: 91-93
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
An icon of balance and tradition, St. Julien boasts the highest proportion of classed growths in the Médoc. What it lacks in any first growths, it makes up in the rest: five amazing second growth chateaux, two superb third growths and four well-reputed fourth growths. While the actual class rankings set in 1855 (first, second, and so on the fifth) today do not necessarily indicate a score of quality, the classification system is important to understand in the context of Bordeaux history. Today rivalry among the classed chateaux only serves to elevate the appellation overall.
One of its best historically, the estate of Leoville, was the largest in the Médoc in the 18th century, before it was divided into the three second growths known today as Chateau Léoville-Las-Cases, Léoville-Poyferré and Léoville-Barton. Located in the north section, these are stone’s throw from Chateau Latour in Pauillac and share much in common with that well-esteemed estate.
The relatively homogeneous gravelly and rocky top soil on top of clay-limestone subsoil is broken only by a narrow strip of bank on either side of the “jalle,” or stream, that bisects the zone and flows into the Gironde.
St. Julien wines are for those wanting subtlety, balance and consistency in their Bordeaux. Rewarding and persistent, the best among these Bordeaux Blends are full of blueberry, blackberry, cassis, plum, tobacco and licorice. They are intense and complex and finish with fine, velvety tannins.