Saint-Julien is the smallest of the four great Médoc communes and the most consistent. No First Growths, but a higher share of classified land than anywhere else in Bordeaux. If you want to understand what Bordeaux delivers in the middle of the price range, start here.
The commune with no First Growth and no weak links
Saint-Julien received no estate at the top level in the 1855 classification. Eleven châteaux are classified nonetheless, and they cover a greater proportion of the commune's surface than in any other part of the Médoc. In practice that means it is hard to buy badly here.
Five of them are Second Growths: Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Poyferré, Léoville Barton, Ducru-Beaucaillou and Gruaud Larose. Léoville Las Cases borders Pauillac and Château Latour directly, and its wine regularly places in that company at blind tastings.
A style between Pauillac and Margaux
Geography explains the taste. Saint-Julien sits wedged between Pauillac to the north and Margaux to the south, and the wines land in between. The northern estates, closest to Pauillac, give darker and more structured wines. Those in the south lean towards Margaux, with more perfume and a softer texture.
The soil is ancient Quaternary gravel over clay and limestone, giving both drainage and access to water in dry years. Cabernet Sauvignon leads, Merlot rounds it off, and the result is red wine with cassis, cedar and a balance that makes it easier to drink young than most Pauillac.
The châteaux we stock
Our selection covers the commune's full range. Château Ducru-Beaucaillou and Château Léoville Las Cases sit at the top, closely followed by Léoville Barton and Léoville Poyferré. Château Beychevelle is perhaps the Médoc's most recognisable label with its Viking ship, and Château Talbot and Château Gruaud Larose are among the most reliable names in the middle tier.
Château Lagrange and Château Branaire-Ducru often deliver the most quality per euro, and Langoa Barton and Château Saint-Pierre are worth knowing. The second wines Les Fiefs de Lagrange and Connétable Talbot start around €33 and are a fine way to try the style cheaply.
Vintages worth looking for
2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020 are all strong across the Médoc and apply here. 2021 was cooler and gave lighter wines that are already approachable, and that combination, a classified estate from a cooler vintage, tends to be the best value in the whole region.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Julien
What characterises Saint-Julien?
Balance. Cassis, cedar and firm but not harsh tannins, sitting somewhere between the power of Pauillac and the finesse of Margaux.
Why are there no First Growths in Saint-Julien?
The 1855 classification was based on the prices wines fetched at the time, and Saint-Julien's estates sat just below the most expensive. The ranking has barely changed since, though several estates here now perform at a level that challenges the First Growths.
How long should Saint-Julien be cellared?
The classified estates develop over ten to twenty years. Because the style is balanced, many wines can be opened after six or seven.
What food goes with Saint-Julien?
Fillet of beef, lamb, duck and dishes with root vegetables or mushrooms. Its balance makes it one of the most food-friendly wines in the Médoc, and it copes with lighter dishes better than its neighbours.
What does a Saint-Julien cost?
Our selection starts around €33 for second wines and smaller estates. The classified names mostly run between €80 and €200.