Chateau Saint Pierre   Saint Pierre

2018 Saint-Pierre

By Chateau Saint-Pierre

2018 Saint-Pierre from Chateau Saint-Pierre, St-Julien, Bordeaux

In the grand tapestry of Bordeaux's elite offerings, the 2018 Saint-Pierre from Chateau Saint-Pierre weaves its narrative with a finesse that only St-Julien can showcase. The pedigree of the vintage aligns with one of Bordeaux's most illustrious epochs, standing as a testimony to an extraordinary winemaking year.

 

The Quintessence of St-Julien Elegance

The 2018 Saint-Pierre is articulate and refined, demonstrating the exemplary traits of St-Julien's profound and polished style. Characterised by a vibrant fruit core wrapped in sinewy tannins, this vintage bespeaks a year that was generous, yet discriminating in yielding quality over quantity. One can discern here both the wisdom of well-established vines and the innovative spirit that defines modern viniculture.

 

Convergence of Climate and Craftsmanship

As with its peer vintages from years punctuated by climatic extremities, the 2018 vintage banks on its origins in a year of marked concentration and vitality. The balanced ripening season imparted an intensity of aroma - cassis and blackberry suffuse the olfactory senses while undernotes of cigar box and violets complete the ensemble. On the palate, this majesty is elongated by an assured finish, a lingering satisfaction promised to enthusiasts who seek to diversify their portfolio with an investable vintage.

What sets the 2018 Saint-Pierre apart is its equilibrium; despite the prodigious heat of summer, Chateau Saint-Pierre mastered the art of articulation in wine language – every sip speaks to the heart of St-Julien terroir.

Indeed, as a seasoned observer of this regal domain, I've chronicled countless vintages from this provenance. The 2018 Saint-Pierre, however, with its remarkable poise and depth, leads one into an empyrean realm rarely encountered in young wines – portending a robust future both in glass and as capital.

In sum, these distinct attributes assure that the 2018 Saint-Pierre is not just another promising entry from Chateau Saint-Pierre but a beacon for collectors and investors alike – meriting attention for its profound translation of time and terroir into bottled elegance.

Market price (GBP)

£430.00

12x75cl

Highest score

95

POP score

28.67

Scores and tasting notes

94-96

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Saint-Pierre displays shy scents of rose hip tea, dried mint, crushed rocks and lavender to begin, opening out to a growing core of warm blackcurrants, baked blackberries and Morello cherries plus wafts of garrigue and wild sage. Full-bodied and absolutely laden with black fruits and provocative mineral sparks, it has a firm texture of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and savory. Aging is anticipated to be for 14 months in 50% new and 50% second-fill barrels. The blend is currently 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 23rd April 2019

93-94

This is a really impressive and muscular red with finesse and focus. Full-bodied, tight and powerful. Baby Calon-Ségur?

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com - April 2019

92-95

Very fresh and pure, with plum and cassis notes that are vivid and focused. Light graphite and anise accents line the finish. Solid.—J.M.

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - April 2019

92-95

A powerful, virile wine, the 2018 Saint-Pierre is also one of the highlights of the vintage. Black cherry, graphite, smoke, leather, menthol, violet and spice meld together in a brooding, tannic Saint-Julien that is going to need a bit of time to truly come into its own. Saint-Pierre is muscular, massively tannic and forbidding, and yet there is a ton of fruit behind all of that structure. Cabernet Sauvignon features heavily in the blend, and that comes through in the wine's flavor profile and overall feel. Readers will have to be patient. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. The 2018 is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot. Tasted four times.

Antonio Galloni - Vinous - April 2019

88

This is creamy and rich with impressively well-structured tannins, but you can feel a little heat through the mid palate that throws things off-balance at the finish.

Jane Anson - Decanter - April 2019

Vintage performance