A remarkably consistent appellation, vintage after vintage. The notion of terroir takes on its full meaning, even if, it must be admitted, its nobility is no longer to be demonstrated. Saint-Julien is one of the great winners of the vintage.
13 properties tasted out of the 19 that make up the appellation.
My top 5:
- Château Léoville Poyferré
- Château Léoville Barton
- Château Beychevelle
- Château Branaire-Ducru
- Château Talbot
The two Léoville (Poyferré and Barton) are fighting for the gold medal, it’s only a matter of detail, this time it is Poyferré who wins the fight. A Beychevelle of very beautiful signature once again, which is also part of the very good business of the vintage since its commercialization. For the inauguration of its new cuvier, Branaire-Ducru signs a wine of very high quality. Blend in with finesse, expression of the terroir without forgetting the feet of the Maroteaux family and Jean-Dominique Videau. Finally, a Talbot that has stood out from the rest of the appellation.
I would also like to highlight the outstanding work done by the Château Gloria teams. A wine that gains in finesse over the years, 2023 is perhaps one of their greatest achievements.
- Château Beychevelle 95-97/100
Refined, rich and expressive, the nose reveals its delightful notes of black fruits, spices, with fine woody notes and subtle toasted notes. Full, dense mouth with a beautiful aromatic intensity. Very well structured and balanced. The tannins are firm and are accompanied by a fresh acidity. Finish full of elegance, fruit, freshness and length. A very beautiful Beychevelle.
- Château Branaire-Ducru 95-96/100
Racy, elegant and full of freshness, we perceive intense notes of black fruits, spices, a delicate woody with its subtle notes of roasting. On the palate, it is very well structured by a tannic texture of fine firmness supported by a nice tension. The balance is ideal. Fruity, refined, fresh finish with a delightful persistence.
- Château Gloria 94-95/100
Nose sharp, deep with notes of black fruits with a subtle woody and fine spicy notes. Juicy, elegant attack on the palate, which gains in volume in the middle of the mouth, with a beautiful expression of the fruit. Well structured and well balanced. The tannins are firm and are accompanied by a fine acidity. Final both fresh, refined and of a nice length. A very beautiful Gloria.
- Château Gruaud Larose 95-96/100
Rich, elegant and expressive, the nose reveals its delightful bouquet of black fruits, with fine spicy notes, very delicate oaky and subtle toasted notes. Delicate, refined attack on the palate with a beautiful material. Very well structured and balanced. The tannins are noble, firm and are accompanied by a fine tension that brings a lot of freshness. Elegant finish and a very nice persistence.
- Château Lagrange 95-96/100
Fresh, complex and with a nice depth, on the nose, we can perceive elegant notes of black fruits, fine spicy notes and a very subtle woody. Full, dense mouth with an expression of the fruit full of purity. Very beautiful structure and superb balance. Tannic texture of noble firmness supported by a very nice acidity. Fresh, elegant and beautiful persistence. Another successful vintage for the Lagrange teams.
- Château Langoa Barton 95-96/100
Racy, rich and deep with notes of black fruits, spices with delicate woody notes and subtle toasted notes. Mouth ample, dense and of great purity. Very beautiful structure and balance. The tannins are noble, firm and supported by a fine acidity. Fruity, fresh and very long finish.
- Château La Fleur Lauga 90-91/100
Expressive nose with notes of black fruit, spices and delicate oaky. Well-structured and balanced palate. Firm tannins, fine tension. Fruity, fresh and of a correct length.
- Château Léoville Barton 97-98/100
Aerial, complex and very expressive, the nose offers us a delightful bouquet of black fruits, spices, with a subtle woody and toasted very delicate. Delicate, refined attack on the palate with a beautiful aromatic expression. A remarkable structure brought by pure and firm tannins, which are supported by an elegant tension. Finish of great intensity of fruit, freshness of refinement and persistence.
- Château Léoville Poyferré 97-98/100
Bewitching, full of charm and elegance, we perceive intense notes of black fruits and spices, subtle floral notes with a very delicate woody. Mouth ample, dense, expressive and of considerable elegance. Very beautiful structure brought by tannins of extreme nobility. Final full of balance, freshness, refinement and length. The grand winner of the vintage is here.
- Château Moulin de la Rose 90-91/100
Clean and fresh nose with notes of black fruits, spices and subtle toasted notes. Well-structured and well-balanced mouth. Firm tannins and fine acidity. Fresh finish and a correct length.
- Château Saint-Pierre 95-96/100
Racy, refined and of a beautiful depth, the nose offers us its very nice notes of black fruits, spices and its fine woody. Delicate, expressive and very well structured mouth attack. The tannins are firm and supported by a fresh acidity. Fruity, fresh and with a nice persistence.
- Château Talbot 95-96/100
Deep, elegant and of a beautiful intensity, we discover notes of black fruits, spices, with subtle toasted and woody notes. On the palate, it is both ample, dense, delicate and very expressive. Very well structured and balanced. The tannins are firm and accompanied by a fine tension. Finish full of freshness, elegance and persistence. A very nice vintage for Château Talbot.
- Château Teynac 92-93/100
Fine, deep and expressive, the nose reveals its beautiful notes of black fruits, spices, with its very delicate oaky. On the palate, it is well structured and well balanced. The tannins are firm and are supported by a fine acidity. Fruity, elegant and long finish. A very beautiful Saint-Julien that will make people talk about him in the next few years.