Saint-Julien

Although Saint-Julien is the smallest of the Médoc appellations in terms of surface area, with 920 hectares, it is nonetheless one of the most prestigious and sought-after. Close to the river port of Beychevelle, the Saint-Julien terroir is notable for the quality of its soils and their excellent drainage, on a gravelly terrace of Garonne origin that is conducive to deep rooting of the vines. This terrace rests on a substrate of marl, pebbles, and allios.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape variety in Saint-Julien blends. It is blended with Merlot and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc. Saint-Julien wines combine power and concentration with finesse and an almost feminine elegance. They have significant aging potential. The Saint-Julien appellation has 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 is located between Paillac and Margaux, more precisely on the left bank of the Bordeaux region. This area is also not far from the Gironde estuary. It was granted its appellation in 1936. However, the history of the terroir began long before that. More than 2,000 years ago, the Greeks and Romans planted vines in the Bordeaux region. They were already producing quality wines at that time. As for the English, they promoted the growth of the Saint-Julien wine trade when they arrived in the region in the 17th century. In 1855, Napoleon III requested a classification of the best French wines for the Universal Exhibition in Paris. This event made the wines of the Médoc famous, including Saint-Julien red wine.

The Saint-Julien AOC has 24 producers, most of whom own large estates. Château Lagrange has 118 hectares of vineyards, while Château Talbot has 110 hectares. The area also has some smaller estates, notably Château Saint-Pierre with 17 hectares of vineyards. In all cases, each estate benefits from magnificent terroir. The region's unique geology is due to a shallow sea that covered the western Aquitaine basin 40 million years ago. The sea receded for the first time 30 million years ago and then again 12 million years ago. This phenomenon gave the region its clay soils.

Sand and gravel deposits then formed alluvial layers more than 5 million years ago. Clayey gravel also appeared due to the movement of tectonic plates in the Pyrenees. Saint-Julien therefore has two terraces. The oldest is located at an altitude of 25 meters above sea level. The most recent is located 17 meters above sea level.

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

More than 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 more than three centuries. It has several old vines. Château Léoville-Las-Cases is home to the region's oldest vineyards. The wines from this estate are characterized by their intensity and power. Among the grands crus, those from Château Léoville-Poyferré stand out for their full bouquet. There is also Château Beychevelle, which has earned its reputation thanks to the elegance of its wines.

Each year, the vineyards of Saint-Julien produce 41,000 hectoliters of red wine. This area has produced several vintage wines. Among the oldest, those from 1995 are the most exceptional. The wines are harmonious, characterized by their richness and structure. The 2000 vintage wines are also exceptional. They are both distinguished and elegant. The years 2009, 2010, and 2011 also had all the right conditions for producing vintages. The same is true for the years 2015, 2016, and 2018. It is important to note that Saint-Julien wines are wines for aging. They are generally enjoyed after 10 to 15 years of aging.