Saint-Estèphe
Saint Estèphe AOC is ideally located on the left bank of the famed Dordogne. The Saint-Estèphe wine-growing region stretches over 1,230 hectares and produces one of the most powerful wines in Médoc.
In every part of the appellation, soils are very complex, made up with rich mixture of rocks, limestone, gravel deep in the terroir and lot of clay. The excellent climate due to the proximity of Gironde estuary and a great exposure, ensure a longer maturity of the grapes. It seems that vines were already cultivated on the land around Saint-Estèphe during Roman times.
Its grape varieties are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carménère, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
Geological variety and different climates give to every wine of the AOC a unique character. Cos d’Estournel is located on the highest hill in Médoc for example, while Château Montrose is very close to the estuary.
Saint Estèphe features a great concentration of classified growths from the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 such as Château Cos d’Estournel, Château Montrose, Château Calon-Ségur, Château Lafon-Rochet and Château Cos Labory.
The appellation is also the terroir of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels: the renowned Château Haut-Marbuzet, Château Les Ormes de Pez, Château de Pez and Château Phélan Ségur.
Saint-Estèphe fine wines are known for their exceptional ageing potential (up to 40 years and more for the best Grands Crus) due to tannins and great concentration.
