2020 Saint-Pierre (St-Julien)

This is excellent, really the most gorgeous balance of power, with dark blueberry juicy fruits and lots of liquorice. Excellent balance and a seductive overall frame. Great stuff - the tannins are pretty fierce though, needs time, will reward ageing. 94 points

The 2020 Saint-Pierre has a distinctly Pauillac-like nose with veins of graphite and mint infusing the black fruit, focused and full of tension. This is very classy. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that belie the structure underneath. It has good grip, and comes across quite strict and correct. If I am to quibble, and quibble I will, it maybe doesn’t finish with the fireworks that I have noticed on other recent superlative vintages. Perhaps that might develop in barrel. If so, it will warrant a higher score. 92-94 points

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Saint-Pierre bursts with baked blackberries, stewed plums and cassis, followed by hints of dried mint, chocolate box and tapenade with a waft of pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with impressive freshness and ripe, fine-grained tannins supporting the energetic black fruits, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 14 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The alcohol is 13.3%. 94-96 points

Dark purplish crimson. Tobacco-leaf dry spice on the nose. Pretty flatteringly round palate entry and then some acidity and a hint of oak. Not the most intense on the palate and very unknit at present. Dry finish, not surprisingly… Sturdy rather than ethereal. 16.5 points

Fresh, lightly mineral, blackberry-ripe nose, persistent and gently minerally; rich, supple yet fresh, superfine in tannin; juicy, generous, ample, and fleshy, all nicely carried by its underlying defining acidity, long and subtle and gracious to taste, with a very nice length of flavor, and a fine persistence of aftertaste. Delicously fleshy, and flattering in the year and the St-Julien context. This and the Gloria make a lovely pair. Drink 2028–45+. 90–92 points