Saint Julien

Bordeaux appellation Saint Julien


TheSaint-Julien AOC is the smallest of the Médoc's 4 famous communes (Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Margaux and Saint-Julien), covering just 910 hectares of vineyards. However, it is home to the greatest classified growth on the left bank. Although it does not have as many châteaux and wine estates as the other appellations, it does have a large number of vineyards that are quite exceptional in terms of the quality and price of the wines. In this guide, we will review the Bordeaux Saint-Julien appellation and the best wines in this classification

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History and terroir of the Bordeaux Saint-Julien appellation


This appellation is located in the heart of the Médoc vineyards, on the banks of the Gironde estuary. It lies between Pauillac and Margaux. Its vineyards produce 6% of the Médoc's wines, i.e. 41,000 hl of red wine. These wines have the power of Pauillac and the elegance of Margaux. Despite its small size, this appellation comprises 11 crus classés, or 80% of the AOC. The town of Saint-Julien was built in the 7th century under the name of Saint-Julien de Reinhac. At the time, it was an administrative town called "Saint-Julien-Médoc". But it wasn't until the 17th century that it acquired a reputation as a producer of Bordeaux wines on the left bank. The wealthy nobles of the time built landmark châteaux in the region, while cultivating the famous vineyards that still exist today. Extensive vineyards can still be found around the villages of Saint-Julien and Beychevelle. The Saint-Julien terroir is the most homogenous of all the Médoc appellations. It is mainly composed of clay-limestone gravel, marl and pebbles, ideal soil for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Saint-Julien wines are renowned for their great capacity for ageing, their deep colour combining elegance, fine aromas and power. They are full-bodied, well-structured and well-balanced on the palate, with a lingering finish

Our selection of Bordeaux Saint-Julien appellation wines


This appellation has everything to satisfy Bordeaux wine lovers. These are harmonious wines, luxurious on the palate with supple, velvety tannins
-Léoville Las Cases: this château is one of the largest and oldest crus classés in the Médoc. Its 97 hectares of vines produce wines with breathtaking mouthfeel. The wines are powerful, concentrated, wonderfully structured and balanced, with exotic aromas. This is perhaps due to the process of fermenting the must at below-average temperatures. This preserves the aromatic richness of the beverage. Although the château is a Classified 2nd Growth, it also produces Classified 1st Growth wines. Don't hesitate to make your choice from among the products sold at reasonable prices on our site.
-Gruaud Larose: This vast 82-hectare vineyard is one of the largest wine-growing estates in Bordeaux, with most of the plots in a single block. Classified as a second growth in the Médoc classification of 1885, this château also produces impressive Bordeaux wines, capable of improving for decades. These are full-bodied wines, with high tannins when young, but which develop a more seductive character of concentrated fruit, spice and liquorice after a few years' ageing.
-Beychevelle: this château belonging to the Castel and Suntory groups, with 90 hectares of vineyards, is also producing interesting wines following the renovation of the cellar and the recruitment of a new winemaker. These are very ripe, concentrated, powerful, unctuous wines with a unique character, rich aromas and supple tannins.
-Ducru Beaucaillou: the arrival of Bruno Borie, the château's current owner, has seen the quality of this estate's wines evolve. Under his direction, the wines have acquired a magnificent harmonious character, with intense, concentrated flavours combined with supple textures and ripe tannins. The wines from this estate have great length on the palate and are destined to age for decades.
-Leoville Poyferre: the 80-hectare vineyard at this château produces the softest, smoothest wines in the appellation. These are pure, concentrated wines with a powerful, rich style. They offer elegant, rich and sensual textures with silky tannins and good ageing potential.
-Branaire Ducru: this family estate, run by François Xavier Maroteaux, has also undergone technical improvements that have had an impact on the quality of the wines. Classified as a 4th Grand Cru in 1855, its 60 ha vineyard produces wines that are a perfect blend of elegance, freshness, refinement and pure tannins. Some of its wines are ready to drink young.
-Talbot: with 102 hectares of vines, this is one of the largest estates in the Médoc. Classed as the 4th Grand Cru in the Saint-Julien appellation, the wines from this estate are carefully crafted. The best vintages are highly aromatic, with a bouquet of cedar wood, ripe black fruit, vanilla and well-integrated tannins. They can be enjoyed young, but can also improve from year to year.
-Lagrange: The 118-hectare terroir of this château, whose history dates back to the Middle Ages, produces elegant, classic, expressive, powerful wines with very silky tannins and a long finish. These improvements follow the modernisation of the winemaking facilities and the replanting of the vines. However, these wines are not very pleasant to drink young. They need to be aged in bottle for 15 to 20 years, depending on the vintage, to be enjoyed at their best.
-Léoville Barton: this 51-hectare wine estate, which has belonged to the Barton family since the 1855 classification, does not have a château. The wines from this estate are robust, structured and masculine, and need time to improve. The best vintages always require a few decades of ageing before they can be enjoyed.
-Clos du Marquis: The exceptional 45-hectare terroir of this estate is located close to Château de Léoville and the residence of the Marquis de Las Cases. The red wines from this estate are produced by Château de Léoville Las Cases. These are wines with a powerful structure, concentrated fruit and layered tannins. Notes of ripe fruit and chocolate contrast with the freshness of the finish. These wines can be kept for up to ten years before drinking.
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