Chateau Saint-Pierre 2016
Chateau Saint Pierre was not always known as such. Back in the 17th century, The wine produced on the land was called Serançan. In 1767, the Baron de Saint Pierre purchased the land and renamed it. The estate was short lived at least in terms of owners. The Baron died in 1832 and the estate was split between his daughters. Even though the estate was split into 2, it was still included in the 1855 classification as a 4th growth. The heirs of both of the sisters were not equipped to run a winery so they began selling off vineyards. A Dutch firm called Van den Busshe purchased both estates and reunited the Chateau. During the sell-off, Alfred Martin purchased the Barrel house and some of the better vineyards. This proved very beneficial, in 1982, Henri Martin purchased the estate and along with the vineyards and barrel house owned by his father, the Chateau was restored.
At 17 hectares, Chateau Saint Pierre is the smallest classified estate in the appellation. The vineyard can be divided into 4 main blocks with parcels spread all over the appellation. It is planted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10%Cabernet Franc.
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Wine Spectator: 94
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This is packed, with a ganache frame wrapping up a dense core of blueberry, black currant, fig and açaí berry reduction flavors that will need time to stretch out. While they do, they'll meld with the warm tar and sweet tobacco notes that line the fruit in spades. In the end, there's a plushness here that is distinct from St.-Julien's typically brambly grip. Best from 2025 through 2040.
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Wine Advocate: 94
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Aged for 14 months in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak and blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Saint-Pierre leaps from the glass with exuberant Black Forest cake, blackberry compote and cassis with hints of cigars, earth and violets with a waft of iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm frame of grainy tannins with fantastic energy and depth, finishing on a lingering chocolaty note.
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Decanter: 95
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Structured and measured with grippy tannins, this is a subtle yet extremely successful wine. Fully ripe black fruits are joined by gentle spices that slowly curl up through the palate. These guys have been delivering such a fantastic run of vintages and continue to do so here - for me yet another St-Julien that is clearly better than the 2015.
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Wine Enthusiast: 93
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Ripe and fruity while also having just the right amount of structure, this is a concentrated wine. It has depth and fine, elegant acidity, and is likely to be ready from 2026.
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Vinous: 94
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A potential sleeper for the vintage, the 2016 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is terrific. Graphite, smoke, spice, crme de cassis and grilled herbs all show a strong Cabernet Sauvignon imprint. That carries through to the wine's structure, where the tannins are firm and incisive yet nicely integrated. Vivid and nuanced, with terrific energy as well as class, the 2016 Saint-Pierre is a winner. Today, it is bold, racy and ripe; if it softens over time, it will be even better than this note suggests. Tasted three times.
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James Suckling: 93
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Some of the truffle, chocolate and earthy character of good Pomerol, plus a full, rather polished palate with plenty of fine tannins.
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Jeb Dunnuck: 96
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Coming from 50-year-old vines and a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Château Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is in the same ballpark as the 2015 yet shows a slightly more elegant, classic feel, which is very much in the style of the vintage. Beautiful notes of crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks, tobacco, and lead pencil shavings as well as some smoky notes with time in the glass all flow to a deep, full-bodied, concentrated Saint-Julien that has fine tannin, flawless balance and integration, no hard edges, and a great finish. This brilliant wine from winemaker Jean-Louis Triaud will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 25-30 years.
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