Saint Estephe

Saint-Estèphe is the northernmost of the famous appellations on Bordeaux's left bank. Like the prestigious Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux, it is situated on gravelly soils along the western shores of the Gironde estuary. Although separated from its renowned neighbor Pauillac by only a small stream, there are significant differences between the two. Saint-Estèphe, with its 1,229 hectares, accounts for 8% of the vineyard area in the broader Médoc region.

Historically, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated the local vineyards. However, in the past, winemakers often encountered challenges with ripening, which led to rather austere wines with pronounced tannins. Today, Merlot makes up 40% of the vineyard area, bringing a ripe softness to the blend and making the wines far more approachable than they once were. Despite this, Saint-Estèphe wines still tend to be robust, characterized by a spicy intensity rather than finesse and elegance.