2016 Gloria and Saint-Pierre
In 2016, the Martin family finished its comprehensive, multi-year, hugely ambitious (though not entirely uncontroversial) redevelopment/refurbishment of its winemaking/cellars/offices in the heart of the village of Beychevelle. Manager Jean-Louis Triaud - also the owner of Bordeaux's professional football club - has always been one to embrace technology and the estate was one of the first in the Medoc to use satellite imagery in order to fine-tune harvests. The new facilities incorporate not one but two of the most sophisticated sorting tables - in case one breaks down - a considerable investment in itself. This morning the family has released its first wines to fully benefit from the new facilities, and both 2016 Gloria and Saint-Pierre look like setting new benchmarks for the properties, as well as being two of the finest wines of the appellation. /AR
'The 2016 Gloria is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc that was picked from 29 September until 17 October. It is matured in slightly less oak than the Saint-Pierre, at 40%. This is a little more backward and broody compared to the Saint-Pierre and indeed its Saint Julien peers, demanding more coaxing from the glass. It almost reluctantly unfolds and unveils subtle pencil box and dry tobacco aromas. The palate is more outgoing than the aromatics with a vibrant, almost citrus-fresh opening, tensile tannins and a satisfying sense of energy. This feels nimble and agile in the mouth with a touch of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste. You come away with the feeling that this Gloria has something up its sleeve for those with patience to cellar it for eight to ten years. 93-95 points' - Neal Martin, robertparker.com
'The 2016 Chateau Saint-Pierre is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between 29 September and 3 October for the Merlot and 5-17 October for the Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is matured is 50% new oak. The Cabernet comes through strongly on the nose as you would expect: quite intense black fruit, graphite and just a touch of dried herbs. There is lovely definition and focus on display. The palate is well balanced with grainy tannin, a crisp line of acidity, classic in style in keeping with the style of the vintage with very fine mineralité and tension towards the sprightly finish. It is one of the most Pauillac-like Château Saint-Pierres that I have tasted, a very well crafted, almost understated but sophisticated wine that will age for 20 to 30 years. This is a fantastic Saint Julien that may well rest at the top of my banded score. 94-96 points' - Neal Martin, robertparker.com
