Chateau Saint Pierre 2017

DECANTER: "Cloves, black pepper, damson, oak swirl and vanilla bean, definitely a more complex and confident nose than many - and the profusion of aromatics adds layers to the wine but doesn't overpower. As the wine opens in the glass, you get attractive raspberry and cassis notes, and an uplift or crushed mint freshness held together with fine tannins. Far from a blockbuster year in St-Julien but this is one of the best; impressive En Primeur and moving up a notch at this point."

JEB DUNNUCK: "From an estate owned by the same family as Chateau Gloria, the inky hued 2017 Chateau Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is a big, full-bodied, impressive 2017 that has subtle oak as well as lots of cassis, white flowers, burning embers, and charcoal aromas. I love its texture, it has ripe tannins, and it’s just a balanced, complete Saint-Julien that will evolve for 20-25 years. This cuvee is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Warm and seductive in feel, with a cashmere texture to the range of steeped plum, blackberry and black currant fruit flavors. A well-buried alder note runs underneath, while flashes of tobacco and incense swirl around. The smoldering finish is long and rich in detail. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2038. 6,708 cases made."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Such fresh red plums and mulberries here. This really has some alluring fruit and dark, stony nuances. The palate is silky and richly flavored with dark plums and berries. Long, ribbon-like tannins. Drink or hold."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Fresh and bright, with a focus on its red fruits, peppery nuances, espresso and herbs. You also find a nice shot of tobacco and cedar. The wine is wine is round, forward, medium-bodied and with just a few years in the cellar, it should be ready to get going."

WEINWISSER: "Purpurgranat mit violettem Rand. Komplexes rotbeeriges Bouquet mit roter Grütze und Cassisblüten. Im zweiten Ansatz Rosenholz und edle, tabakige Würze. Am straffen Gaumen mit feinspröder Textur und reifem Extrakt. Im langen Finale mit hellem Edelholz, Wacholder und edler Mineralik endend. Eine klassischere Variante, die in ihrer perfekten Trinkreife noch zulegen kann."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, reife Zwetschken, dunkle Kirschen, zart nach Orangenzesten, noch etwas zurückhaltend. Mittlerer Körper, rotbeeriger Touch, integrierte, tragende Tannine, bleibt gut haften, etwas Nougat im Abgang, ein facettenreicher Speisenbegleiter."