Château Saint-Pierre Saint Julien 2023

A very deep, youthful nose packed with cassis, blue fruit and graphite. A touch of violets too. Ample and round, with medium to full body and precise tannins. Structured and refined, lasting almost a minute. A blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 3% petit verdot.

I continue to love this château, and they've done well their 2023 Château Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien), a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new oak. Red and black fruits, leafy herbs, iron, chocolate, and a kiss of background oak all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It has the fresher, juicy style of the vintage but brings ample fruit and texture.

The AOCs 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.

A strong effort, the 2023 Saint-Pierre unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis, dark berries and incense, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with good mid-palate density, powdery tannins and lively acids, it's a classically proportioned Saint-Julien that will age with grace. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.