1996 St. Pierre, St-Julien

These are good times for the claret lover. Cinnamon and I enjoyed this wine last night with giant rib eye steak, peas, frites and homemade mayonnaise. This Saint Julien was the perfect partner, and turned our Friday night "claret night" into a special occasion. The St. Pierre does a trick that only Bordeaux can; it delivered a lot of concentrated black fruit without a trace of fat or residual sugar. On the nose it had plenty of earth and a touch of toast to frame the Cabernet cassis, and the finish went on and on. It was "a small bottle"- our highest compliment at home. It seemed like it was finished before it should have been! Being able to drink wine like this is a luxury that will not last. Even in this economy, it is underpriced. St. Pierre produces about 5000 cases and is owned by the same folks who own the more well known Chateau Gloria. The vineyard is planted to 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petite Verdot.

From 4th growth Chateau St. Pierre in the magnificent vintage of 1996 comes this mature Bordeaux red showing all of the elegance and refinement that a little bottle age can bring. On the nose, dried cherries, truffles, and cured meat notes. On the palate, red currants, tangy and sweet. Truffles, earth and spice grace the finish. Still a bit firm, even a bit short at first, but the wine opens up beautifully with time, showing quite a bit more length by the time the last glass is poured. In sum, an elegant St. Julien, still quite youthful but just entering a very comfortable middle age that could easily last for the next 10 years or more. A superb value for those who enjoy a well-aged claret with their beef.

Wonderfully mature bordeaux, medium bodied and smooth with hints of cherries, the tannins are all but gone. It has a sweet finish , opens up much better after an hour of decanting.