Oak notes dominate this in wine, with spice, toast and vanilla tones hovering over fruit. There is a sense of over extraction that is luckily mitigated by lively acidity. It needs time to balance out. Range: 91-93

The 2014 Saint-Pierre has the most fruit-driven bouquet of the flight of Saint Julien wines with copious red cherries, boysenberry and fig-like scents. It certainly is the one with the immediate appeal rather than intrinsic complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, quite solid tannin that provide good backbone to support the weight of fruit. There is a lot of extraction here but everything remains nicely proportioned and there is more than enough freshness towards the finish. This should not be under-estimated and it will provide long-term drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The 2014 Saint-Pierre 2014 was one of the surprises of the Saint Julien appellation, a wine that has blossomed throughout its élevage and in bottle to the point where it has overtaken its stablemate, the 2014 Château Gloria. It has a more floral bouquet: vibrant and energetic with fine mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied, a silver bead of acidity, energetic and intense with tobacco and graphite on the finish. For me, the Saint-Pierre has the upper hand this year and it should give two decade's worth of drinking pleasure.

The fresh blackberry coulis and plum paste notes are laced with a dried star anise edge. Shows a hint of graphite on the finish.

Pretty depth of fruit with firm and silky tannins. Full body, bright acidity and a clean finish. Chewy finish.