A sweet and complex nose of candied cherry crushed blackberry and blueberry also offers more subtle notes of wild herbs and loamy soil. Big and firm on the palate the tannins are massive at this point though not out of balance with the hearty fruit. Full of structure there are layers of flavor that seem to go on and on. I had the opportunity to taste this on multiple occasions and went back to it twice on each occasion. Captivating and complex this is an intellectual wine that may be the benchmark for Saint Pierre for decades to come. In a vintage where quality was high across the board in St. Julien this is in the top tie for sure. Just incredible. Drink 2019-2040.

Deep plum colour, oyster shell salinity on the first nose, a classic signature of 2010 that is quickly followed up by bitter black chocolate and tight liquorice root. Great quality, just a stunning sleek damson and cassis-filled wine but these bristling tannins remain very much in control right now, and I suggest giving it a good few more years before the excellence is truly released. No question in my mind that it is going to storm into the top of St Julien when fully in its drinking window. 50% new oak, 44hl/h yield.

The final blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot has resulted in a wine of great power, stature, gravitas and density. The wine has a black purple color and a brilliant nose of scorched earth, creme de cassis, espresso roast, blackberries, truffles and licorice. Full-bodied, extremely powerful, yet with abundant sweet tannin, this stunning effort should prove sensational if given 7-10 years of cellaring. It should also last for 30-40 years. - Robert Parker

Saint-Pierre From a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Merlot this deep ruby colored wine shows a cassis oak floral spice and jammy black raspberry nose. On the palate the tannic concentrated sweet jammy black cherry and licorice wine shows freshness but the tannins feel dust in the finish. The wine will be aged in 55% new oak.

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. This is a strong showing from Saint Pierre. For sure, the 2010 feels more introverted on the bouquet with dusky black fruit, truffle, tobacco and graphite scents that unfold in the glass. There is fine definition here, with a slight meaty character emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth, ripe opening: spice-tinged black fruit and a saline element accentuated towards the finish. It exerts a gentle grip with very good persistency on the finish.

Two bottles of the 2010 Saint-Pierre were poured, the first just slightly oxidised. The bouquet is comparatively light with blackberry and raspberry aromas, never really quite taking off from the glass like others. The palate is better, much better, with plenty of mineral-rich black fruit, a superb line of acidity and wonderful precision on the finish. I suspect that the fact that we could not decant the second substitute bottle contributed to the slightly subdued aromatics, but I think there is real class here. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. -- Neal Martin