2020, Château Saint Pierre, SAINT-JULIEN, 4ème Grand Cru Classé

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc.

The 2020 Saint-Pierre has really blossomed during its élevage. Its dalliance with Pauillac on the nose has been dispensed. It is not much more Saint-Julien-like, perhaps showing even more fruit concentration and opulence than its sibling, Gloria, with its plush red fruit mixed with sous-bois and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied yet fuller and denser than the Gloria, quite powerful and more higher-toned without losing a sense of style and panache. 94 Neal Martin, Vinous.

The 2020 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is loaded with scents of blackberry jam, dried herbs, graphite, incense, espresso and liquorice. This powerful, tannic Saint-Julien is going to need years to soften, but it is incredibly impressive in the early going. From barrel, the 2020 was quite unctuous, but today it has grown into a wine that marries opulence with classicism in grand style. the intensity of the Cabernet Sauvignon really comes through. 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

The 2020 Saint-Pierre is a rich, dramatic wine bursting with aromas of blackberries, blueberry liqueur, anise, clove and brown sugar. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, it's generous and enveloping, with a ripe core of fruit, succulent acids and powdery tannins that discreetly assert themselves on the finish. The wine's creamy, fruit-driven profile belies its comparatively moderate 13.3% alcohol. 93 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

Deep purple-black in colour, the 2020 Saint-Pierre bursts with baked blackberries, stewed plums and cassis, followed by hints of dried mint, chocolate box and tapenade with a waft of pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with impressive freshness and ripe, fine-grained tannins supporting the energetic black fruits, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 14 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The alcohol is 13.3%. 94-96 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate.

Quite reduced on the nose, a salty oyster shell and iron nuance with slightly granular tannins. Fruit is ripe and this has a deep, rich and wide structure and frame with firm tannins, a cool minty freshness and good balance. Powerful and concentrated, an opulent showing with floral notes, blackcurrant jam, dried herbs and liquorice. Impressive but will take a while to soften and fully shine. 94 Georgina Hindle, Decanter. 

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2050