Saint-Julien
サン＝ジュリアン
Médoc's most consistently elegant appellation with the highest proportion of classed growths
Saint-Julien is one of the most prestigious wine appellations in the Médoc, Bordeaux. With 11 of its estates classified (the highest proportion in the Médoc), Saint-Julien produces wines renowned for their elegant balance of power and finesse, with the signature cedar and cassis aromatics of Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends.
Best for: Cellar-worthy Bordeaux reds with classic cedar and tobacco notes
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Producers
シャトー・ベイシュヴェル
Château Beychevelle
Château Beychevelle is a Fourth Growth (4ème Grand Cru Classé) estate in the Saint-Julien appellation, classified in the historic 1855 Médoc hierarchy. The château's name derives from the Old French 'Baisse-Voile' (lower sails), as ships passing the estate were required to lower their sails in tribute to Jean-Louis Nogaret de La Valette, Admiral of France and Duke of Épernon, who owned the property during the reign of Henri III. Today the château's emblem features a ship with a griffin on its prow — the mythological guardian of Dionysus' wine crater. Built in the 17th century and reconstructed in 1757 by Marquis de Brassier in a style that earned it the nickname 'the Versailles of the Médoc', the estate today encompasses 90 hectares of vines on deep Garonne gravel terroir. Winemaking is meticulous: manual and selective harvesting with triple sorting (at the plot, upon reception, and optical sorting), plot-by-plot vinification to express optimal terroir, and 18 months of aging in oak barrels with 50% new oak renewal per year.
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www.beychevelle.comシャトー・ブラネール・デュクリュ
Château Branaire-Ducru
Château Branaire-Ducru is a prestigious Fourth Growth estate from the 1855 Classification, situated in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation in the Médoc, Bordeaux. The estate spans approximately 60 hectares of deep gravelly soils with excellent drainage, producing wines of remarkable elegance and complexity. Since 1988, the estate has been owned and managed by the Maroteaux family, who have invested significantly in both the vineyards and winery infrastructure. The property is famous for its gentle, fragrant, and approachable style compared to its Saint-Julien peers, with hallmark notes of cassis, violet, cedar, and dark chocolate. The estate produces two wines: the Grand Vin Château Branaire-Ducru and the second wine Duluc de Branaire-Ducru.
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www.branaire.comシャトー・デュクリュ・ボーカイユ
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is a 1855-classified Second Growth (Deuxième Grand Cru Classé) in Saint-Julien, widely regarded as the quintessential expression of the appellation and one of Bordeaux's definitive 'Super Seconds.' The estate's name derives from 'beaux cailloux' (beautiful pebbles) — the distinctive large gravel stones dominating its 75-hectare vineyard along the Gironde estuary. Wine has been produced on the land since the 13th century; the modern era begins in 1795 when Bertrand Ducru gave the estate its current name. In 1941, Francis Borie purchased the property, and today his grandson Bruno Borie leads the estate with an exacting philosophy: a draconian grape selection policy slashed Grand Vin production from over 20,000 cases to 6,000–8,000 cases per year, elevating quality to unprecedented heights — including six perfect 100-point scores since 2009. The 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot blend is aged 18–20 months in up to 90% new French oak, producing wines of architectural precision, graphite minerality, fine-grained tannins, and extraordinary aging potential of 40–50 years. The estate also holds ISO 14001 and HVE3 sustainability certifications and has practised organic viticulture since the 2018 vintage.
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www.chateau-ducru-beaucaillou.comシャトー・グロリア
Château Gloria
Château Gloria is a renowned estate located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. Founded by Henri Martin in the 1940s, the estate is unique as it was assembled through the acquisition of various parcels from classified growths. Despite not being part of the 1855 Classification, it is widely regarded as having quality comparable to Grand Cru Classé wines. The vineyards are planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The wines are celebrated for their elegance, structure, and ability to age gracefully, embodying the classic Saint-Julien style.
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www.chateau-gloria.comシャトー・グリュオー・ラローズ
Château Gruaud-Larose
Château Gruaud-Larose is a historic Second Growth (2ème Cru Classé) estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Médoc, Bordeaux, classified in the landmark 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The estate's origins date to 1725 when Catholic priest Joseph Stanislas Gruaud acquired 50 hectares and began planting vines. Upon his death in 1781, his nephew Chevalier de Larose inherited and expanded the vineyard to 80 hectares, lending his name to the château. The wine gained royal favour and the motto 'Le Roi des Vins, Le Vin des Rois' (King of Wines, The Wine of Kings) was coined — a phrase still embossed on the label today, encircling a heraldic crest featuring two lions (referencing Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II of England), a sailing ship, and grape bunches flanked by anchors. After a 19th-century split into two entities (Gruaud-Larose Sarget and Gruaud-Larose Bethmann), the estate was reunited by the Cordier family in 1935. In 1997, the Merlaut family (Taillan Group) acquired the château, ushering in a new era of investment in quality. Today the 82-hectare vineyard is planted with 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The estate is notable for having more clay in its terroir than any other Saint-Julien property — a characteristic that imparts exceptional body and structure. The château received organic certification with the 2022 vintage and has been biodynamic since 2019. The second wine, Sarget de Gruaud-Larose, was introduced in 1981.
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www.gruaud-larose.comシャトー・オルトヴィー
Château Hortevie
Château Hortevie was a small, esteemed Cru Bourgeois estate located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. The 3.4-hectare vineyard, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot on characteristic gravelly Médoc soils, produced wines of refined elegance under the management of Bruno Borie, owner of the renowned Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, who acquired the estate in 2006. Production ceased after the 2012 vintage, making Château Hortevie a sought-after label for collectors of rare Bordeaux. Its wines are noted for their medium-bodied, elegant structure with classic Saint-Julien notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and earth.
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Château La Bridane
Château La Bridane is a small, family-owned estate located in the heart of the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation in Bordeaux. Managed by the Saintout family for over three centuries — now in its eleventh generation under Pierre-Simon and Noëlie Saintout — the vineyard is uniquely situated in the north-west of Saint-Julien on Garonne gravel, between the renowned estates of Château Léoville-Poyferré and Léoville-Las Cases. The estate is one of the few in Saint-Julien to hold the 'Vigneron Indépendant' label, meaning it vinifies, matures and bottles entirely on-site. The estate practices sustainable viticulture (lutte raisonnée) on its approximately 15-hectare gravelly vineyard. The wines are characterised by a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, offering a balance of elegance, power, and fine structure. It is highly regarded for providing exceptional quality and authentic Saint-Julien character at an accessible price point.
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シャトー・ラグランジュ
Château Lagrange
Château Lagrange is a 3ème Grand Cru Classé (Third Growth) estate in the Saint-Julien appellation, classified in the prestigious 1855 Médoc classification. The property spans 118 hectares of vines — one of the largest Grand Cru estates in the Médoc — with vines grown on two Günz gravel slopes, one of which forms the highest point in the Saint-Julien AOC. In 1983, Suntory acquired the estate and undertook a dramatic revival: replanting some 500,000 vines, installing over 100 small fermentation tanks for parcel-by-parcel precision winemaking (103 distinct parcels), and pioneering optical sorting technology. The result is a wine that combines youthful vigor and vibrant aromatics with a remarkable capacity to evolve into a refined, complex masterpiece over decades.
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www.chateau-lagrange.comシャトー・ラランド・ボリー
Château Lalande-Borie
Château Lalande-Borie was a distinguished estate located in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, established in 1970 by Jean-Eugène Borie, owner of the renowned Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, through the acquisition of parcels from Château Lagrange. Planted on deep gravel soils ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate produced elegant, structured wines celebrated for their classic Saint-Julien finesse, aromatic complexity, and excellent aging potential. Managed by the Borie family under the company Jean-Eugène Borie SA, the wine was produced through the 2018 vintage before being renamed Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou from the 2019 vintage onward, becoming the third wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou.
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www.chateau-ducru-beaucaillou.com/en/シャトー・ランゴア・バルトン
Château Langoa Barton
Château Langoa Barton is a Third Growth (Troisième Cru) estate in the 1855 Bordeaux classification, located in the Saint-Julien appellation. The estate has been in the Barton family's continuous ownership since 1821 — making it one of the few 1855 classified châteaux still held by the same family as at the time of the classification. The Barton family's Bordeaux roots trace back to 1722, when Thomas Barton emigrated from Ireland to become a négociant. The 18-hectare vineyard is planted with approximately 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc on gravel and clay soils with an average vine age of 35 years. Winemaking is traditionally oriented: fermentation takes place in large oak vats, with the wine aged for around 20 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Annual production is around 7,500 cases. The château also serves as the winemaking facility for its prestigious sister property, Château Léoville Barton.
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www.langoa-barton.comシャトー・レオヴィル・バルトン
Château Léoville Barton
Château Léoville Barton is a prestigious Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, owned continuously by the Anglo-Irish Barton family since 1826 — one of the longest uninterrupted family ownerships in Bordeaux. The estate covers approximately 48–51 hectares planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (20%), and Cabernet Franc (3%). In a remarkable quirk of Bordeaux history, Château Léoville Barton owns no château building: the wine is vinified at the family's sister estate, Château Langoa Barton, in traditional wooden vats, some dating back to 1963. Winemaking is rigorously traditional — hand harvesting, plot-by-plot fermentation, three weeks of maceration, and 16–18 months aging in 60% new French oak. The estate is celebrated for producing Second Growth-quality wines at consistently fair prices, earning Anthony Barton recognition as Decanter's Man of the Year in 2007. Under current stewardship of Lilian Barton-Sartorius and her children Damien and Mélanie, Léoville Barton continues to be a benchmark for classic, long-lived Saint-Julien.
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www.leoville-barton.comシャトー・レオヴィル・ラス・カーズ
Château Léoville Las Cases
Château Léoville Las Cases is a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, situated in Saint-Julien on the Médoc's Left Bank. Widely acclaimed as the foremost "Super Second" of Bordeaux, it consistently rivals the First Growths in both quality and price. The estate's origins trace back to 1604 as part of the vast Domaine de Léoville. Following the French Revolution, the property was divided into three separate châteaux; Pierre Jean de Las Cases inherited the largest portion—roughly three-fifths—including the historic heart of the domain, giving the estate its name. The Delon family gradually acquired majority control through their ancestor Théophile Skawinski in the 19th century and have stewarded the estate ever since. Michel Delon led a celebrated quality renaissance from 1976 until his death in 2000, when his son Jean-Hubert Delon became sole owner. The Delon family also own Château Potensac (Médoc) and Château Néni (Pomerol). The 97-hectare estate is anchored by the 55-hectare Grand Clos, a walled enclave of historic vines planted to a density of 9,000 vines per hectare, farmed almost entirely organically with no herbicides or pesticides. The Grand Clos lies on the northern boundary of Saint-Julien; its vineyards are separated from those of Château Latour in Pauillac only by the Juillac stream, endowing them with Pauillac-like power and scale that sets Léoville Las Cases apart from its Saint-Julien neighbours. The vineyard is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The Grand Vin blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, typically around 80–84% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc and Merlot completing the blend. Annual production is approximately 180,000–200,000 bottles. The second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases (introduced 2007), uses grapes from younger vines in the same plots and carries a higher proportion of Merlot for earlier drinking. Scores consistently reach 95–100 points from major critics. The 2000 vintage received 100 points from Wine Spectator, and the 2005 was awarded 100 points by Jeb Dunnuck. The 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995, and 1996 vintages are also legendary. The wine's extraordinary longevity—the finest vintages can evolve for 50+ years—alongside its proximity to First Growth quality at Second Growth prices makes it one of the most coveted addresses in the world of fine wine.
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www.leoville-las-cases.comシャトー・レオヴィル・ポワフェレ
Château Léoville Poyferré
Château Léoville Poyferré is a prestigious Second Grand Cru Classé estate in Saint-Julien, Médoc, one of the three 'Léoville siblings' that were originally a single vast estate until the French Revolution divided it. The property was established under its current name in 1840 when Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré added his name to Léoville, and was classified as a Deuxième Cru in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The Cuvelier family, originally from Lille in northern France with over 200 years in the wine trade, acquired the estate in 1920. The modern transformation began in 1979 when Didier Cuvelier took management control at age 26, doubling the vineyard from 48 to 80 hectares and modernizing the winery. The landmark appointment of Michel Rolland as consulting oenologist in 1994 — one of the first Left Bank collaborations for the renowned Right Bank specialist — elevated quality dramatically. Since 2018, General Director Sara Lecompte Cuvelier (Didier's niece) leads the estate with winemaker Isabelle Davin and consultant Julien Viaud of Labo Rolland, pursuing freshness alongside richness. The 80-hectare vineyard is planted with approximately 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with an average vine age of 42 years. Wines are aged 18 months in approximately 80% new French oak. The estate achieved the pinnacle of critical recognition when the 2009 vintage received a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker, and the 2018 vintage was ranked No. 7 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2021. Since 2000, every vintage has scored 90+ points from Wine Advocate. The second wine, Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré, offers earlier accessibility. The estate holds HVE Level 3 certification and has adopted the Environmental Management System (SME) since 2016.
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www.leoville-poyferre.frシャトー・レオヴィル・ラス・カーズ
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Château Léoville Las Cases is a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, situated in Saint-Julien on the Médoc Left Bank. Widely acclaimed as the foremost Super Second of Bordeaux, it consistently rivals the First Growths in both quality and price. The estate traces its origins to 1604 as part of the vast Domaine de Léoville. Following the French Revolution, the property was divided; Pierre Jean de Las Cases inherited the largest portion — roughly three-fifths — including the historic heart of the domain. The Delon family gradually acquired majority control in the 19th century through their ancestor Théophile Skawinski. Michel Delon led a celebrated quality renaissance from 1976 until his death in 2000, when his son Jean-Hubert Delon became sole owner. The Delon family also own Château Potensac (Médoc) and Château Nénan (Pomerol). The 97-hectare estate is anchored by the 55-hectare Grand Clos, a walled enclave farmed almost entirely organically with no herbicides or pesticides. Its vineyards border those of Château Latour in Pauillac — separated only by the Juillac tributary — endowing them with Pauillac-like power and scale. The vineyard is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The Grand Vin blend is typically around 80–84% Cabernet Sauvignon. Annual production is approximately 180,000–200,000 bottles. The second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases (introduced 2007), offers earlier accessibility. Scores consistently reach 95–100 points from major critics: the 2000 vintage received 100 points from Wine Spectator; the 2005 was awarded 100 points by Jeb Dunnuck. The greatest vintages (1982, 1986, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2016, 2018) can evolve for 50+ years.
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www.leoville-las-cases.comシャトー・ムーラン・ド・ラ・ローズ（サン＝ジュリアン）
Château Moulin de la Rose (Saint-Julien)
Château Moulin de la Rose is a distinguished estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, historically linked to the prestigious Château Gruaud Larose. The vineyard benefits from exceptional gravelly soils characteristic of the Médoc, producing classic Saint-Julien wines renowned for their elegance, finesse, and remarkable aging potential. Not to be confused with the Château Moulin de la Rose in Saint-Estèphe — this is a separate and distinct estate in Saint-Julien, delivering wines that balance power with refined tannins and reflect the true terroir of the Médoc.
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シャトー・サン・ピエール
Château Saint-Pierre
Château Saint-Pierre is a 4ème Grand Cru Classé (Fourth Growth) of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, located in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Médoc. At just 17 hectares, it is the smallest classified growth in Saint-Julien. The estate traces its origins to 1693, when the vineyard was first planted under the name Serançon. It took the name Saint-Pierre in 1767 when Baron de Saint-Pierre acquired it. A split in 1832 divided the property into Saint-Pierre-Bontemps and Saint-Pierre-Sevaistre. The estate was reunited and revived in 1982 by the legendary Henri Martin — owner of neighbouring Château Gloria — who invested significantly to restore its reputation. Today it is managed by Henri Martin's daughter Françoise and her husband Jean-Louis Triaud, along with their children. Vinification takes place at Château Gloria's state-of-the-art cellar, using temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wines are aged for 14–16 months in approximately 60% new French oak barrels, with malolactic fermentation completed in barrel. The estate holds HVE3 and ISO14001 certifications and is undergoing organic conversion.
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シャトー・タルボ
Château Talbot
Château Talbot is a 4th Grand Cru Classé estate in the Saint-Julien appellation, Médoc, Bordeaux. Named after the English commander John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, who fell at the Battle of Castillon in 1453, the château has been owned by the Cordier family since 1917. Its 110-hectare single-block vineyard — one of the largest in the Médoc — sits on ideal Gironde gravel soils and produces three wines: the grand vin Château Talbot, the second wine Connétable Talbot, and the white wine Caillou Blanc. Robert Parker famously said it deserves promotion to 3rd Growth.
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www.chateau-talbot.comシャトー・テレイ・グロ・カイユ
Château Terrey-Gros-Caillou
Château Terrey-Gros-Caillou was a historic Cru Bourgeois estate located in the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux. Renowned for producing classic, structured red wines that exemplified the elegance and balance of the Saint-Julien terroir, the vineyards were primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wines displayed complex aromas of tobacco, plum, and cedar. The estate's vineyards were later integrated into the holdings of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, and the fruit is now utilized in the production of La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou.
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シャトー・デュ・グラナ
Château du Glana
Located in the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, Château du Glana is a distinguished estate with a history dating back to 1870. The vineyard spans approximately 43 hectares, benefiting from exceptional gravelly soils that are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Under the ownership of the Meffre family since 1961, the estate has undergone significant modernization to enhance precision in winemaking. The wines are celebrated for their elegance, structure, and classic Saint-Julien finesse, offering a harmonious balance between power and approachability. With a commitment to sustainable viticulture, Château du Glana consistently produces refined wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Médoc region.
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www.chateau-du-glana.com
Food Pairings
Roast lamb, duck, aged cheeses, venison
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Saint-Julien unique?
- The highest proportion of classified estates in the Médoc, balancing power with elegance.
- How does Saint-Julien compare to Pauillac and Margaux?
- Saint-Julien sits between Pauillac's power and Margaux's elegance — its wines offer cedar and tobacco complexity with supple tannins and exceptional consistency across vintages.
- Which are the top châteaux in Saint-Julien?
- Léoville-Las Cases, Ducru-Beaucaillou, and Léoville-Barton are the top producers, each offering wines that rival many First Growths in quality.
- How well do Saint-Julien wines pair with Japanese cuisine?
- Beautifully — their cedar, dark fruit, and firm-but-refined tannins complement sukiyaki, grilled wagyu, and soy-braised duck.