Bordeaux Saint Estèphe appellation

This appellation is located a few kilometres north of the city of Bordeaux, in south-western France. It is part of the Médoc. TheSaint-Estèphe AOC stands out for the complexity of its terroirs and subsoils and the richness of its range of wines from different producers. In this guide, we take a look at the vineyards of this appellation and the best Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe wines

Situation and description of the appellation Saint-Estèphe

This appellation is located in the northernmost part of the Left Bank. It adjoins the northern end of Pauillac, next to Château Lafite-Rothschild. Although Saint-Estèphe is almost the same size as Pauillac, it has very few crus in the 1855 classification. The appellation covers 1,377 hectares of vines cultivated by 136 winegrowers. These growers include 56 different châteaux. The terroir of this appellation offers slopes and elevations based on sands, clay deposits and small pebbles. The clay layers facilitate natural drainage, heat retention and grape ripening. The best terroir is located on the hill of Cos, not far from the vineyards of Château Cos d'Estournel. Moving eastwards, we come across sandier soils composed of marine limestone, with marly subsoils towards the south.

Our selection of Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe appellation wines

Because of the diversity of the terroirs and soil types, the composition of the grape varieties and the oceanic climate, there are several styles of Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe wines. Before the 1982 vintage, the best wines from this appellation had a reputation for being rustic, austere and rich in tannins, but improved winemaking methods and the addition of Merlot to the vineyards have changed all that. They are now fleshier and more concentrated, with a lingering finish. The Crus Bourgeois are also more affordable, with aromas of plum, earth and softer tannins. The appellation currently boasts 35 châteaux classified as Crus Bourgeois