Château Saint-Pierre 2012

Château Saint-Pierre is a renowned winery located in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Bordeaux region in France. The estate has a long history dating back to 1693 when the vineyard was first planted. It was classified as a fourth growth in the famous 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

During its early days, it went by the name of Serançon and was owned by the De Cheverry family.  Eventually the estate was purchased by Baron Saint Pierre in 1767 and the property’s name was changed to Château Saint-Pierre.  When the Baron passed away, he divided the property into two separate vineyards for two daughters. One vineyard was named Château Saint Pierre Bontemps and the other was named Château Saint Pierre Sevaistre.  The estate was classified as one property, however, earning the title of Fourth Growth during the 1855 Classification.   Not much later, the two properties were subjected to a series of bad vineyard management decisions and they fell into disrepair before being acquired by a Dutch company – the Van den Bussche Company.  The properties were reunited once more and wines from the estate were warmly received by the Belgian market.

In 1982 Henri Martin purchased the estate, and the estate is still in the hands of the Martin family today through inheritance and marriage.  At present, Jean-Louis Triaud runs operations over at Château Saint-Pierre.  He also oversees Château Gloria and some other family properties.  He is also the owner of the Girondins de Bordeaux – a professional football team in Bordeaux.  

The vineyards of Château Saint-Pierre cover 17 hectares and are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grape varieties. The vineyards are situated on well-drained gravelly soils, which are ideal for producing high-quality wines. The grapes are handpicked and carefully selected before fermentation.

In terms of operations, Château Saint-Pierre was one of the first estates in the Médoc to embrace the usage of satellite imagery to help them identify which parcels to pick.  This 17-hectare vineyard is the smallest classified estate in the Saint Julien appellation.  One can find plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc planted throughout.  The vineyard is divided into four main blocks with parcels spread all over the appellation, and the bulk of vines are not too far from Château Ducru Beaucaillou and Château Beycheville.  The grapes are harvested by hand and transported to Château Gloria for vinification.  The majority of the wines are rich, concentrated, and full-bodied.  Sometimes they are extremely muscular in particular vintages, with a brawny and decadent power that seduces fans of intense and robust reds.  The wines produced at Château Saint-Pierre are known for their elegance, complexity, and aging potential. They are typically full-bodied with rich, dark fruit flavors and a firm structure. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for up to 18 months before being bottled.

"Sculpted smoky aromatics, love the carved out tannins and black fruits. This is a delicious 2012 that is full of plentiful berry fruits, blackcurrant and sloe, with an unfussy feel of hedgerow brambled freshness. The tannins have heft and give, and there is a sense of precision but also of expansion through the palate, great stuff. Ready to drink but only at the beginning of its drinking window. 60% new oak, 38hl/h yield." - Jane Anson, (02/03/2022), Ratings: 94

"A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot cropped at 38hl/ha the Saint Pierre 2012 has a nicely defined, conservative bouquet of blackberry, graphite and cold stone. The Cabernet feels ripe and like many wines, it is direct, no-frills bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp, chalky texture entry. There is a pleasant brightness to this Saint Pierre with an edgy, graphite tinged finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2013." - Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, (05/02/2013), Ratings: 91-93