Chateau Saint-Pierre 2016 Saint-Julien

The most effortlessly brilliant vintage in Saint-Julien, and Saint Pierre is right up there with the best of examples you can find. Smoky and sculpted, still chewy tannins, firm but confident, liqourice and campfire smoke that displays welcome and generosity - makes you want to pull up a chair next to the embers and grab a friend to share it with. The fruits are brambled hedegrow and crumbled blackberry, with touches of bioche and cream, along with bitter chocolate that adds definition. Mineral tingle to the acidities, and another wash of smoke as it opens.

"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." 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck

"Highly coloured in the glass, with aromas of violets spiraling through. On the palate this is more bilberry and blueberry than tight cassis, with slate and bitter coffee ground notes. There's very little light peeking through the tannins at this stage, and again I get the architectural feel of a 2010. Monumental and extremely accomplished, this is easy to recommend, living up to its early promise. Matured in 50% new oak, with malo partly in barrel. Drinking window 2024 - 2040." 95 points, Decanter

"The 2016 Saint-Pierre has an intriguing bouquet of baked black cherries, dark chocolate, espresso and gamy notes, the oak regime more prominent compared to its peers within this Saint-Julien flight. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, and the oak is more assimilated here than on the nose. Nicely detailed and very poised, although there is a touch of dryness right on the finish." 95 points, Vinous

Chateau Saint-Pierre 2016 Saint-Julien