2020 Chateau Pierre Premier Saint Emilion Grand Cru

About the Wine

Just a little over 1 mile from Chateau Cheval Blanc, and less than 1 mile away from Figeac, lies the incredible under-the-radar Château Pierre 1er (Formerly known as Château Croix Figeac). This exceptional estate transformed in 2014, adopting the name Château Pierre 1er in honor of the proprietor's revered father, Pierre Dutruilh. Beyond the name change, it's a tale of passion, meticulous craftsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Nestled in the heart of Saint-Emilion, just on the outskirts of the Pomerol appellation, Château Pierre 1er boasts an impressive 27 acres of single vineyard. Château Pierre 1er has enlisted the expertise of none other than oenologists Michel Rolland and Julien Viaud. 

In the spirit of sustainability, Château Pierre 1er has earned the coveted HVE certification, a testament to their commitment to preserving the environment and the terroir for future generations.

Every harvest is a labor of love, with meticulous manual picking in crates and a steadfast commitment to the art of winemaking. The result? A wine that encapsulates the essence of Château Pierre 1er—elegant, refined, and unmistakably extraordinary.

2020 was an exceptional vintage that was awarded 98 points by Vinous Media, who said, “An exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, certainly the best in the 2018-2020 trilogy. Quality is exceptionally high among the great wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.”

Aging: 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels (50% new)

Tasting Notes: 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

This is a solid red with lots of blackberry, crushed-stone, pine-needle and iron character. It’s full-bodied with layers of ripe, chewy tannins that are polished and poised. Extremely well crafted. A top wine from here. ~ 95-96 James Suckling

Well-placed fruits, this walks through the palate with a careful step. It has chewy tannins and some expansive fruits through the mid palate - an enjoyable wine from owner Jean Dubreuilh. ~92 Decanter

The 2020 Château Pierre 1Er should be outstanding and has a spicy, red and black-fruited style carrying subtle leather, dried earth, and loamy soil-like aromas and flavors. ~90-92 Jeb Dunnuck

Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Pierre 1er comes barreling out of the glass with bold scents of baked blackberries, stewed black plums and mince pie, plus hints of menthol, black olives and charcoal. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with juicy black fruits, supported by finely grained tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and layered. ~90-92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 

The 2020 Pierre 1er is nicely done. In fact, this is one of the better recent vintages I can remember tasting. Inky and voluptuous, the 2020 offers quite a bit of richness, but with better balance than has been the case in the last few years. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves add to the wine's somber yet beguiling personality. This extroverted Saint-Émilion has quite a bit to offer. ~90-92 Vinous