Château Saint-Pierre 2012

Fruity, mouth-filling fresh tannins, balanced; pleasing.

A soft, somewhat fleshy and opulent style of St.-Julien, this 2012 has a deep ruby/purple color, good minerality, moderate tannin, and a full but more precocious and accessible style than its neighbors such as Léoville Poyferré and Beychevelle. This is more along the lines of the juicy, succulent Talbot, but certainly has aging potential. Two to four years of bottle age is recommended and then consumption over the following two decades.

A fresh, sleek style, with an apple wood frame nicely embedded in the core of damson plum, red currant and bitter cherry fruit. Reveals an iron underpinning on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2022. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,500 cases made.

Textbook ‘cedary’ Saint-Julien backed up by full, plummy fruit. A very well-made, enjoyable wine. The Martin family, owners since 1982, have made major investment in quality here, which has paid off.

Blackcurrant, ripe plum and cedar character to this red on the nose, before giving way to a full to medium body, refined yet firm tannins and good acidity. A little lean. Drink in 2017.

Fragrant dark fruit and some sweet oak spice. More herbaceous on the palate than the Ch Gloria just tasted and maybe not quite as deep in flavour but very good. Finishing firm, moreish and fresh. (JH)

The 2012 Saint-Pierre has quite an intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, sandalwood and rose petal notes. This opens nicely in the glass though there is a lot of oak, which is just a little concerning after ten years. The palate is medium-bodied with lighter tannins than expected, balanced, although it is missing some depth and grip on the finish. Satisfying, but not particularly memorable. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Lush, soft fruits, with a real sense of sweetness to the black cherry and boysenberries, complicated by licorice, earth and smoky espresso beans. There is a nice cocoa note on the finish. The wine was produced from a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot.

Spicy notes, licorice, cassis, plum, herbs, a juicy, medium-weight palate, good length, rather supple and accessible.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with a violet sheen on the rim. Mineral bouquet with subtle turpentine notes and hints of truffle, backed by ripe plums. On the palate, surprisingly full-bodied with rounded tannins; the tannins show a slightly powdery extract and support the body. This will be—just as so often in recent years—a very good Saint-Julien value.

Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core with a lilac sheen at the rim. Mineral bouquet with subtle turpentine notes and hints of truffle, backed by ripe plums. On the palate, surprisingly full-bodied with rounded tannins; the tannins show a subtly powdery extract that supports the body. As so often in recent years, this will be a very good Saint-Julien value.

Deep, classic bouquet of blue and black berries, tobacco, cedar, licorice. Balanced, full, velvety palate with good fruit, plenty of fine tannins, dense structure, powerful and complex aromatics, long, velvety finish with very good retronasal aromas. 18/20 2020 - 2038

Sculpted smoky aromatics, love the carved-out tannins and black fruits. This is a delicious 2012 that is full of plentiful berry fruits, blackcurrant and sloe, with an unfussy feel of hedgerow, brambled freshness. The tannins have heft and give, and there is a sense of precision but also of expansion through the palate, great stuff. Ready to drink but only at the beginning of its drinking window. 60% new oak, 38 hl/ha yield.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Saint-Pierre offers up notes of dried herbs, kirsch, and redcurrant jelly with touches of cigar box and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and chewy, with just enough fruit and an herbal lift on the finish.

Saint-Pierre 2012 is a dense, compact wine with beautiful substance and lovely leather notes, very elegant. A great success.

Logo on the cork: inverted T (Trescases) I had already mentioned the great success of this bottle. Still youthful color, very fruity nose with a smoky touch and a hint of toast. On the palate, a slender, velvety body where the wine glides through—not broad, but long—with blissful, gentle tannins.

93–95. Barrel sample. This is a solid effort that showcases both great blackberry fruit and sweet tannins right at the forefront. There is also fine acidity and a layer of wood that gives a dry, firm, age-worthy aftertaste.