Saint-Pierre, Chateau
Summary
Château Saint-Pierre is a 17-hectare Fourth Growth estate in Saint-Julien's heart, owned by the Triaud family, producing a single grand vin from Cabernet-dominant vineyards planted on classic Garonne gravel soils over clay-limestone subsoils. The estate combines traditional methods like candlelight racking and hand harvesting with modern temperature-controlled fermentation, aging wines 14-18 months in French oak while maintaining sustainable farming practices that preserve their historic terroir expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Saint-Pierre stands as one of Saint-Julien's historic estates, recognized as a Fourth Growth (Quatrième Cru) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The estate traces its origins to the 17th century when it was established by Henri de Saint-Pierre. Following the French Revolution, the property experienced fragmentation until 1982, when the Martin family completed the reassembly of the original vineyard holdings (Henri Martin had begun acquiring the estate decades earlier).
Today, Château Saint-Pierre operates under the ownership of Domaines Henri Martin, with Jean-Louis Triaud serving as the managing director. The Triaud family maintains direct oversight of daily operations, continuing the legacy established by Henri Martin. Under their stewardship, the château has undergone significant modernization of its winemaking facilities while preserving traditional Bordeaux production methods.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Saint-Pierre encompasses 17 hectares of vineyards situated in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank. The vineyards occupy prime terroir characterized by deep Garonne gravel soils atop clay-limestone subsoils—a geological profile that provides excellent drainage while maintaining sufficient water reserves during dry periods.
The vineyard composition reflects traditional Médoc planting, with Cabernet Sauvignon dominating at approximately 75% of plantings, complemented by 15% Merlot and smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vines average 50 years in age, with some parcels dating back significantly longer. The estate produces a single grand vin, Château Saint-Pierre, focusing exclusively on quality rather than expanding its range with second labels.
The property benefits from its strategic location in Saint-Julien, positioned between neighboring classified growths Château Ducru-Beaucaillou and Château Gloria, the latter also part of the Domaines Henri Martin portfolio.
Philosophy & Practice
Château Saint-Pierre adheres to traditional Bordeaux winemaking methods enhanced by modern precision. Harvest occurs plot by plot, with grapes hand-picked and meticulously sorted both in the vineyard and again at the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, allowing for precise extraction management according to each vintage's characteristics.
The aging protocol involves 14-18 months in French oak barrels, with approximately 50% new oak each year. This measured approach to oak influence aims to complement rather than overwhelm the fruit character of the wine. The estate practices minimal intervention during the aging process, with racking performed traditionally by candlelight to minimize disturbance.
In the vineyard, the team implements sustainable farming practices with careful canopy management and yield control. The estate maintains low yields, typically around 45 hectoliters per hectare, to ensure concentration and expression of the Saint-Julien terroir. Recent investments have focused on precision viticulture tools that allow for parcel-specific management decisions based on soil and vine needs.