Saint Pierre

History of Château Saint-Pierre

Château Saint-Pierre finds its origins in the 17th century, a time when the lands of Saint-Julien were beginning to assert themselves as a renowned wine-growing area. Founded in 1693 under the name "Serançan", the estate was initially owned by the Cheverry family. In 1767, it was acquired by Baron Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Pierre, who gave it its definitive name, according to the tradition of the time. Less than ten years later, Saint-Pierre wines were already recognised as among the best in the region, ranked by the wine broker Labadie as fourth in the commune.

It was this Fourth Classified Growth status that the estate retained during the famous 1855 classification. However, the baron's death in 1832 led to a fragmentation of the estate, divided between his two daughters. This division persisted until the end of the 19th century, when the Van den Bussche family, Antwerp wine merchants, bought both halves, thus beginning a process of reunification.

The real turning point for Château Saint-Pierre came in 1982, when Henri Martin, an emblematic figure in the Bordeaux vineyard, acquired the estate. Henri Martin, already owner of the famous Château Gloria, undertook to restore Château Saint-Pierre to its original configuration. Thanks to his vision and hard work, he succeeded in restoring the estate to its former prestige, patiently reconstituting its vineyard and modernising it with state-of-the-art equipment. Today, the château is run by Jean-Louis Triaud, Henri Martin's son-in-law, perpetuating the family tradition while keeping Château Saint-Pierre at the forefront of viticultural excellence.

Robert Parker awarded Château Saint-Pierre a 97/100 for the 2010 vintage, underlining the quality and elegance of this harmonious, powerful wine from the Margaux appellation.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Saint-Pierre

The terroir of Château Saint-Pierre is one of the most remarkable in the Saint-Julien appellation. The 17 hectares of vines situated on the left bank, although modest in size, benefit from the gravelly-sandy soils typical of the region, composed of Garonne gravel on a subsoil of sand and clay. These soils are particularly conducive to the cultivation of noble grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

The estate's grape variety composition reflects this exceptional terroir with a predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), followed by Merlot (15%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). These proportions are ideal for producing wines that are both powerful, balanced and elegant. The vines of Château Saint-Pierre are on average 50 years old, which contributes to the concentration and complexity of aromas in the wines. The planting density, with 10,000 vines per hectare, encourages better competition between the vines, thus increasing the quality of the grapes harvested.

Vinification at Château Saint-Pierre

The vinification process at Château Saint-Pierre combines tradition and innovation, ensuring high-quality wines while respecting the characteristics of the terroir. After meticulous manual harvesting, the grapes are transported to the neighbouring Château Gloria to be vinified, according to a long-standing agreement between the two estates.

Fermentation takes place in thermoregulated stainless steel vats, varying in capacity from 50 to 178 hectolitres, thus allowing precise control of the process. Malolactic fermentation, on the other hand, takes place in barrels to refine the tannins and bring more complexity to the wine.

The wine is then aged for 14 to 16 months in French oak barrels, of which about 60% are renewed each year. This judicious choice of ageing allows for the addition of a beautiful woody structure to the wines while preserving the fruity expression of the grape varieties. Although Château Saint-Pierre does not produce an official second wine, young vines and certain declassified lots are incorporated into Château Gloria's second wine, called Peymartin.

The Cuvées of Château Saint-Pierre

Château Saint-Pierre

The estate's main wine, Château Saint-Pierre, is one of the smallest but also one of the most prestigious Classified Growths of the Saint-Julien appellation. Its annual production is around 75,000 bottles. This wine is renowned for its exceptional depth and structure, combining power, complexity and elegance.

When tasted, Château Saint-Pierre stands out for its deep red colour and intense aromas of ripe red fruits, cedar and undergrowth. On the palate, it reveals a velvety texture with perfectly integrated tannins, offering great length and ageing potential. Lovers of great Bordeaux wines particularly appreciate the subtle balance between aromatic finesse and tannic robustness that characterises this growth.

Peymartin

Although Château Saint-Pierre does not produce a second wine, Peymartin, Château Gloria's second wine, is sometimes seen as an interesting complement. Made from young vines or lots deemed less suitable for the first wine, Peymartin is a charming and accessible wine, while remaining true to the typicity of Saint-Julien.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years are 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, symbolising Bordeaux excellence.

Discover the full range of Fourth Classified Growths from Bordeaux, each one representing the richness of the Médoc's prestigious terroirs. In Saint-Julien, explore the wines of Château Beychevelle, Château Branaire-Ducru, and Château Talbot. In Pauillac, Château Duhart-Milon offers wines with the typical character of the appellation, while Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe provides robust vintages. In the Haut-Médoc, Château La Tour Carnet stands out, while Margaux's reputation is upheld by estates such as Château Marquis de Terme, Château Pouget, Château Prieuré-Lichine, and Château Saint-Pierre. Each of these estates reflects, in its own way, the unique identity of the Fourth Growths.

Château Saint-Pierre embodies the excellence of the Classified Growths of Saint-Julien. Thanks to an exceptional terroir, rigorous grape variety selection and modern vinification techniques, this estate produces wines of rare quality, appreciated by enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. With the continued commitment of the Martin family, Château Saint-Pierre has maintained its rank among the best growths of the Médoc, while remaining true to its historical heritage. Whether to enrich your cellar or to savour a bottle on a special occasion, the wines of Château Saint-Pierre are a safe choice for lovers of great Bordeaux.