Château Saint-Pierre 2000

Smoky and earthy, with copious jammy cassis fruit and sweet tannin, this is an excellent, full-bodied Saint-Pierre. The saturated deep purple color is followed by a persistent, concentrated wine with copious sweet tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.

Silky and decadent, with berry, tobacco, chocolate and meat character. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a caressing finish. First bottle was slightly papery. Best after 2008. 5,415 cases made.

Tobacco, cedar wood, earth, creme de cassis and blackberry scents open to a medium/full bodied wine that is ready to drink. While pleasant and with some charm, this is not at the level of wines being produced by the St. Julien chateau today.

Medium-dark garnet colour. Expansive, earthy and gently sweet bouquet: dried fruits, light woods, milky coffee; already surprisingly approachable, but slightly lacking concentration compared with other 2000 vintages. On the palate, the first roundness comes through in a medium-rich extract, with humus notes, pale button mushrooms and damp forest floor; the finish shows a faint greenish skin note.

01: Barrel sample (17/20): an intense black-cherry bouquet with a fine floral note, tobacco, black pepper and dried black trumpets. Medium-bodied on the palate, now turning a little more blueberry-driven, with an elegant yet rather slender finish. Like Gloria from the same estate, St. Pierre is a bit more elegant and lighter this year. 04: Medium-dark garnet. Expansive, earthy-sweet bouquet; dried fruit, light woods, café au lait—already surprisingly approachable and seemingly lacking some of the usual 2000 concentration. On the palate, first hints of roundness in the semi-rich extract, humus aromas, button mushrooms and damp forest floor; the finish shows a slightly greenish skin note. Unfortunately, it didn’t make the most of its opportunities (16/20). 15: Sparkling ruby, subtly lighter at the rim. The nose is beautiful, though slightly dominated by toasty notes; it feels medium-light in build but very approachable. On the palate, finely textured, redcurrants, a discreetly pithy/seed-driven note that gives it a fine raciness; still seems young. For a 2000, perhaps a little below expectations.

Dark ruby in colour, with tawny-pink hints around the edges but few signs of age visually even at 22 years. The tertiary notes are clear on the palate, with cigar box, tobacco, autumnal berries, saffron and cinammon spice that make for a full, nuanced and extremely moreish glass of wine. This has the grace and supple tannins of an older St Julien. You will find more concentrated 2000 vintages in the appellation at this point, but there is gentle confidence here, and a charred mint leaf finish. Great to drink now. 50% new oak. First year for technical director Remy di Constanzio, Eric Boissenot consultant, 55hl/h yield.

Slightly stewed character with a balanced, fluid texture and still astringent tannins. The whole needs time to come together.

Burgundy red color. Medium to fairly good intensity. Nose of medium intensity. A little less refined than the 2001. A slight note of green and roasted coffee. It’s good but flattering, and above all less tightly knit than the 2001, which has more depth with just as much breadth. Overall, this 2000 is a bit old-school in style and simpler than the 2001.