Saint-Julien

Although Saint-Julien is the smallest of the Médoc appellations in terms of surface area (920 hectares), it is nonetheless one of the most prestigious and sought-after. Situated near the river port of Beychevelle, the Saint-Julien terroir stands out for the quality of its soils and their excellent drainage, on a gravelly terrace of Garonne origin that favors deep vine rooting. This terrace rests on a substrate of marl, pebbles and alios.

Saint-Julien wines offer an intense, complex aromatic palette, and are generally characterized by their dense ruby color. They combine power and concentration with feminine finesse and elegance. Notes of blueberry and blackcurrant, blackberry, prune, tobacco and licorice dominate. Over time, pleasant tertiary aromas such as leather, fur, venison and truffle appear. The palate is dense, full-bodied and opulent, with powerful yet finely woven, velvety tannins.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape variety in the Saint-Julien blend. It is combined with Merlot and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc. Saint-Julien wines combine power and concentration with feminine finesse and elegance. They have great ageing potential. The Saint-Julien appellation boasts 11 renowned Crus Classés, including Château Léoville Poyferré, Château Léoville Barton, Château Talbot, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Lagrange, Château Gruaud Larose, Château Léoville Las Cases and Château Beychevelle.

Saint-Julien lies between Paillac and Margaux, on the left bank of the Bordeaux region. The area is also not far from the Gironde estuary. It was granted its appellation in 1936. However, the history of this terroir goes back much further. Over 2,000 years ago, the Greeks and Romans planted vines in the Bordeaux region. They produced quality wines even then. As for the English, they encouraged the growth of the Saint Julien wine trade when they arrived in the region in the 17th century. In 1855, Napoleon III commissioned a classification of the best French wines for the Paris Universal Exhibition. This event made Médoc wines famous, including Saint Julien red wine.

The Saint-Julien AOC has 24 producers, most of whom own large estates. Château Lagrange has a vineyard area of 118 ha, while Château Talbot has 110 ha. The area also boasts a number of smaller estates, including Château Saint-Pierre with a vineyard area of 17 ha. In all cases, each estate benefits from a magnificent terroir. The geological specificity of the region is due to a shallow sea that covered the western Aquitaine basin 40 million years ago. The sea withdrew for the first time 30 million years ago, and again 12 million years ago. This phenomenon gave the region its clay soils.

Deposits of sand and gravel then formed alluvial deposits over 5 million years ago. Clayey gravels also appeared as a result of tectonic plate movements in the Pyrenees. Saint-Julien has two terraces. The oldest is at an altitude of 25 metres above sea level. The most recent is 17 meters above sea level.

The region also benefits from excellent water regulation thanks to good drainage. The soil type prevents water storage. As for incoming air masses, they play a thermoregulatory role, reducing temperature variations. The vines are protected from the effects of frost, enabling them to produce an exceptional Bordeaux Saint Julien wine.

Over 90% of the wines produced in Saint-Julien are classified as 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grands Crus. The Léoville-Barton estate is one of them. It has belonged to the Irish Barton family for over 3 centuries. It boasts several old vines. Château Léoville-Las-Cases is home to the region's ancient vineyards. The wines of this estate are characterized by their intensity and power. Among the grands crus, those of Château Léoville-Poyferré stand out for their full bouquet. Then there's Château Beychevelle, whose reputation is built on the elegance of its wines.

Each year, the Saint-Julien vineyards produce 41,000 hl of red wine. There are several vintages in this area. Among the oldest, 1995 is the most exceptional. The wines are harmonious, characterized by richness and structure. The 2000 vintages are also exceptional. They are both racy and elegant. The years 2009, 2010 and 2011 also brought together all the conditions required to produce outstanding vintages. The same is true of 2015, 2016 and 2018. Saint-Julien wines are wines for laying down. They are generally enjoyed after 10 to 15 years of cellaring.