2013 Château Saint-Pierre
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Pale cherry in colour, enticing aromatics but soft in structure. As is typical with 2013 vintage, there is a dip down in terms of concentration and flesh compared to most vintages in this lineup Saint Pierre. Expect raspberry, sloe and bilberry fruits, beginning to soften around the edges, given texture with liquorice and slate tannins. Gentle persistency, this plays with your palate, stretching out and surprising in its salinity and mouthwatering finish. 50% new oak, harvest October 2 to 15, Eric Boissenot consultant.
Critic scores
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Very toasty aroma but some cassis too. Very toasty on the palate and the oak gives it a thickness that needs time to slim down, but overall in balance if a little oaky now. (JH)
The 2013 Château Saint-Pierre should not be overlooked and it is a Saint-Julien that surpassed my expectations. It has a delightful, fresh, simple nose that deserves to be shipped straight to a gentleman's club down St. James Street. Classic Claret in other words. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well judged acidity, harmonious and balanced with a nicely poised, simple but effective, citrus-fresh and rounded finish. Enjoy this over the next decade.
Lightish cherry red. Chocolate and spice speaks of oak rather than fruit as the first impression. Dry and dusty on the palate, the tannins very fine but rather dry. There's some elegance to the austerity here and a juicy finish. (JH)
About the producer
Henri Martin – the ex-cooper that created Ch. Gloria in the 1940s – purchased this Fourth Growth Saint-Julien estate in 1981. Today it is managed by Martin’s granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Vanessa and Jean Triaud.