Saint-Julien

With one of the highest concentrations of Crus Classés wineries, Saint-Julien produces highly structured yet perfumed and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Saint-Julien is considered by wine geeks to be underrated; though it lacks any First Growths it more than makes up for that in consistency of excellence throughout the appellation.

Nestled between Pauillac to the north, known for wines with power and elegance, and Margaux to the south, known for its charming perfumed aromas, Saint-Julien is considered to be a perfect blend of these attributes.

Saint-Julien Wineries to Know

Château Léoville-Las Cases - a "Super Second". This Second Growth winery consistently produces wines that are equivalent quality as some First Growth. Its vineyards border those of First Growth, Château Latour, in Pauillac.

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou - Situated about half a mile from the Gironde Estuary this is another "Super Second" in Saint-Julien offering highly consistent and age-worthy wines.

Châteaux Langoa-Barton and Léoville Barton - these wineries have been owned by the Barton family since before the 1855 classification.

Saint-Julien Terroir

The soils, overall, in Saint-Julien are quite homogenous with gravel, limestone, and clay found throughout. In some areas near the border with Pauillac there's more gravel which seems to give more structure, power, and tannin to wines.

The limestone and clay, as found in Margaux, are thought to lend elegance and perfume to the wines. One thing that is sure is the consistent quality throughout the appellation.

Saint-Julien Facts and Classification Information

• 2243 acres (908 ha) in size, the smallest commune in the Médoc
• Grapes planted are: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot.
• Established as an AOC in 1936.
• Gravels and a mixture of limestone and clay are the major soils
• 80% of the vineyards here belong to wineries in the Grand Cru Classé classification - that's a lot!
• 19 wineries in total
• Saint-Julien has 11 Grands Crus Classés
  • 5 Second Growths
  • 2 Third Growths
  • 4 Fourth Growths

SOURCES

♦ Jancis Robinson, Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition

♦ Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, the Châteaux, their wines and terroir, 2020