Saint Pierre 2023

The 2023 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is impressive. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, licorice, menthol, chocolate, dried herbs and crème de cassis are dialed up to the maximum. This dark, explosive Saint-Julien hits all the right notes. There's gorgeous textural depth and density in this virile, imposing 2023.

Enjoyable, well balanced, great inky depths of flavour, an enjoyable, sleek and confident St Julien, with an effortless finesse where you feel they aren't trying too hard to impress, just harnessing the drinkability of the vintage with its black fruit and liquorice character. Give it a few years, then sink into the pleasure of this wine. 45hl/ha yield, third year of organic conversion.

Ripe black fruits, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and spicy wood all emerge from the 2023 Château Saint-Pierre, a smoking Saint-Julien that does everything right. Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot and aged in 50% new oak with the balance in second-fill barrels, it's rich and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a round, lush texture, sweet tannins, and tons of charm and character. It's always a great value and is going to drink brilliantly over the coming two decades. Drink 2026-2046.

The 2023 Saint-Pierre is deep garnet-purple in color. It is quite closed to start, needing considerable swirling to bring out notes of fresh black and red currants, licorice, and charcoal, plus hints of dried roses and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is tightly knit, with bright black and red berry flavors and fine-grained tannins, finishing fragrant. Very pretty!

The 2023 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) has a very perfumed bouquet, a little more precision than Gloria this year with a touch more mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, nicely structured, gentle grip. A touch of white pepper emerges toward the finish with just the right amount of length. This is a very capable and quite delicious Saint-Julien. Excellent.

A strong effort, the 2023 Saint-Pierre unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis, dark berries and incense, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with good mid-palate density, powdery tannins and lively acids, it's a classically proportioned Saint-Julien that will age with grace. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.