2011 St Pierre (St Julien)
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Saint-Pierre is well-defined on the nose, quite open, veins of blue fruit here with a more floral, Margaux-like personality. This seems to gain complexity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with blackcurrant and bilberry on the entry. The oak comes on a bit "thick" here, and governs the finish more than the terroir. Maybe continued bottle age will see this subsumed. It’s an enjoyable Saint-Julien, but it feels a little stilted at the moment. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Young, concentrated, intense, one of the more succulent 2011s that I have tasted recently. Has tobacco and cedar aromatics that punch right through the black fruits, fine but firm tannins, well constructued and gently unveils its mix of fruit, smoke and freshness. Excellent quality, you can begin to drink this now, but the tannins are still chewy on the tongue, and it is only at the beginning of its drinking window. 60% new oak, 42l/h yield, Eric Boissenot consultant.
Tasted blind. High toned and savoury on the nose. Lots of opulent fruit. Riper and sweeter than the St-Julien norm. Good handling of the vintage’s drawbacks to provide an easy drink. Just a little dry stoniness on the finish. Appetising. (JR)
Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Not much real fruit concentration. A bit tarted up with oak. (JR)
About the producer
Henri Martin – the ex-cooper that created Ch. Gloria in the 1940s – purchased this Fourth Growth Saint-Julien estate in 1981. Today it is managed by Martin’s granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Vanessa and Jean Triaud.