Château Saint-Pierre 2023

Tobacco and dark fruit dominate, with mineral notes in the background; finely woven tannins, crisp fruit, plenty of charm and wonderful length. Elegant!

Lilacs, vanilla, cherry blossoms, and spice show along with chocolate-covered cherries, with a hint of Bourbon in the nose. Medium-bodied, elegant, racy, and refined, the wine focuses on its purity, length, and lift, instead of power, leaving you with a delicate touch of mint on the backend. The wine blends 90% Merlot, with 10% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV. 10% of the wine is whole bunch fermented. Drink from 2027-2040. 92-94 Pts.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Ripe dark cherry fruit, delicate notes of cassis, some nougat and orange zest. Juicy, subtle sweetness of ripe plums, round tannins, mineral and lemon finish, lingers long, a lively and salty food wine.

Delicate blueberry-tinged bouquet, beguiling violet fragrance, dark precious wood and noble cassis spice. On the complex palate, silky texture, tightly knit tannic framework, finely wired tension for support, and a straight, firm body. In the concentrated, long finish, black-berry contours, graphite, elderberry juice, and a fine, powdery astringency.

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.

Score: 90–92. A wine that unfolds with a certain restraint, yet moves forward deliberately and elegantly. The nose is brimming with juicy black fruit, with some peppery and spicy accents. The fruit opens up on the palate, where the juice fills every nook and cranny. Far more intense on the palate than on the nose, the wine reveals sustained acidity that invigorates the taste buds relentlessly, well-managed tannins, and a tangy, mouthwatering finish.

A lovely spicy, toasted and indulgent nose, full of elegance, offering fine, racy power and depth. It expresses notes of wild blackberry, violet and, more subtly, ripe wild berries, with a hint of curry and spices. The palate is fruity and offers freshness, minerality, a juicy/fresh backbone, good definition, fine precision, and a stretched profile. It shows notes of juicy/fresh blackberry and juicy/fresh raspberry and, more subtly, cornflower, with touches of lilac and small red berries, as well as hints of toast, nutmeg and crushed almond. Good length. Supple tannins.

The AOC’s typical forthright spine of graphite runs through this red, along with textbook flavors of black currant, blackberry and boysenberry paste that show intensity and definition. A cast iron accent lurks through the finish, which is well-stuffed, especially for the vintage. Rock-solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2028 through 2042. 6,300 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.