St-Julien AOP Flashcards
Introduce St-Julien AOP
St-Julien AOP produces less wine than the other communes, but the quality is very good: approximately 80% of the AOP is cru classé wine. There are no first growths, but St-Julien has five second growths, including the “super-seconds” of Château Léoville Las Cases and Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Both can produce wine on par with premier cru estates. St-Julien reds typically demonstrate an elegant style.
Give an detailed overview of St-Julien AOP
St Julien is the smallest of the “Big Four” Médoc communes. Although without any First Growths, St Julien is recognised to be the most consistent of the main communes, with several châteaux turning out impressive wines year after year.
St Julien itself is much more of a village than Pauillac and almost all of the notable properties lie to its south. Its most northerly château is Ch. Léoville-Las-Cases, whose vineyards actually adjoin those of Latour in Pauillac but to the south suitable vineyard land gives way to arable farming and livestock until the Margaux appellation is reached.
The soil is gravelly and finer than Pauillac, without the iron content which gives Pauillac its stature. The homogeneous soils in the vineyards (which extend over a relatively small area of just over 700 hectares) give the commune a unfied character
The wines can be assessed as much by texture as flavour and there is a sleek wholesome character to the best. Elegance, harmony and perfect balance and weight with hints of cassis and cedar are what epitomise classic St Juliens. At their very best they combine Margaux elegance and refinement with Pauillac power and substance.
Ch. Léoville-Las-Cases produces arguably the most sought-after St Julien and in any re-assement of the 1855 Classification it would almost certainly warrant being elevated to first growth status.
Recommended Châteaux
Ch. Léoville-Las-Cases, Ch.Léoville-Barton, Ch Léoville-Poyferré, Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou, Ch Langoa-Barton, Ch Gruaud-Larose, Ch. Branaire-Ducru, Ch. Beychevelle
Name the Seconds crus of Saint Julien.
Five
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Château Gruaud-Larose Château Léoville-Barton Château Léoville-Las Cases Château Léoville-Poyferré
Name the third growths of Saint Julien
Two
Château Lagrange
Château Langoa-Barton
Name the fourth growths of Saint Julien
Four
Château Beychevelle
Château Branaire-Ducru
Château Saint-Pierre
Château Talbot
Name the fifth growths of St Julien
None
Name the first growths of St Julien
None
Département
Gironde
Communes of Production
Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Laurent-Médoc
Styles and Encépagement:
Rouge: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cot (Malbec), Carmenère
Minimum Potential Alcohol
11%
Minimum Must Weight
180 g/l (189 g/l for Merlot)
Maximum Residual Sugar
2 g/l
Élevage
The wines may not be released until June 15 of the year following the harvest
Minimum Planting Density
7,000 vines per hectare
