The origin
of Chateau Saint-Pierre can be dated back to at least the 17th
century, or even earlier, when it was referred as Serancon under the ownership
of the De Cheverry family. It got the current name when it was acquired by Baron
de Saint-Pierre, during when viticulture was already taking place.
When the
baron died in 1796 the estate was divided between his two daughters, Dubouilh
and Bontemps-Dubarry, but was still run as a single entity. Dubouilh died in
1832, with her half bequeathed to her daughters. Nevertheless, the estate was able
to be classified as a single entity in the 1855 classification and ranked as a
fourth growth, the first in that ranking.
The
Dobouilh portion was later put on sales and was mostly purchased by the
Bontemps-Dubarry family, renaming the estate Saint-Pierre-Bontemps-Dubarry. Several
small plots were purchased by others, with about one quarter to
Bontemps-Dubarry’s daughter who married to Oscar de Leutken, owner of La
Tour-Carnet.
Colonel
Bontemps-Dubarry bequeathed the estate to his children, but it was his daughter
who bought out her other siblings to keep the estate together. The portion
under Oscar de Leutken was later sold to Leon Sevaistre. In 1923 the two
portions were reunited by a Dutch firm Van den Bussche, changing the name to Saint-Pierre-Sevaistre.
In 1982
it was sold to Henri Martin, proprietor of Chateau Gloria, who in turn sold a
small plot to Jean-Eugene Borie of Ducru-Beaucaillou, becoming Lalande-Borie. Henri
then invested to restore the chateau, which is now under the management of her
daughter Francoise and son-in-law Jean-Louis Triaud. Under the tenure of Martin
and his heirs, the quality of the wines improved substantially.
The
vineyards are just outside of the town of Beychevelle, near the boundary of
St-Julien, with plenty of old vines totaling about 17 hectares planted with 70%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, with a tiny amount of Petit
Verdot.
The
fruit is hand-harvested, then taken to the chai of Chateau Gloria to macerate
in enamel vats for two to four weeks, before fermenting in a mix of oak foudres
and stainless steel with temperature control. It then goes into oak with 40-50%
new each year, with fining and filtration before bottling. The grand vin is
Chateau St Pierre with about 5000 cases produced and the rejected is sold in
bulk to local merchants. It is the smallest GCC properties in St-Julien.
I have
recently tasted the 2004 vintage and below is my tasting note:
Appearance
Bright and clear, this wine is of deep ruby color, with legs.
Bright and clear, this wine is of deep ruby color, with legs.
Nose
Clean, the nose shows medium intensity aromas of black fruit such as blackcurrant and blackberry, dried fruit of prune, oak notes of toast, pungent spice of liquorice, mineral notes of earth, kernel notes of mocha, animal notes of leather. The wine is youthful.
Clean, the nose shows medium intensity aromas of black fruit such as blackcurrant and blackberry, dried fruit of prune, oak notes of toast, pungent spice of liquorice, mineral notes of earth, kernel notes of mocha, animal notes of leather. The wine is youthful.
Palate
Dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannin of ripe of ripe and velvety texture, the wine has medium alcohol and is of medium (+) body with medium intensity flavors of black fruit such as blackberry and black cherry, oak notes of cedar, kernel notes of mocha, vegetal notes of black olive. The wine has a medium finish.
Dry with medium acidity, medium (+) tannin of ripe of ripe and velvety texture, the wine has medium alcohol and is of medium (+) body with medium intensity flavors of black fruit such as blackberry and black cherry, oak notes of cedar, kernel notes of mocha, vegetal notes of black olive. The wine has a medium finish.
Conclusion
Very good quality St-Julien with a reasonably intense nose showing good complexity, the wine is subtle but elegant, but probably too early to drink now without the development of more aromas and flavors. On the palate it is in balance and provides good structure, with a fair finish accompanying. Ready to drink now, the wine can benefit from further ageing of another 4-6 years.
Very good quality St-Julien with a reasonably intense nose showing good complexity, the wine is subtle but elegant, but probably too early to drink now without the development of more aromas and flavors. On the palate it is in balance and provides good structure, with a fair finish accompanying. Ready to drink now, the wine can benefit from further ageing of another 4-6 years.
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