AOC Saint Estèphe

The Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) Saint-Estèphe, located in the Médoc wine region on the left bank of the Gironde, is one of the most prestigious appellations in the Bordeaux region. Known for its powerful, structured red wines, Saint-Estèphe represents the excellence and diversity of the Médoc terroirs.

Saint-Estèphe is the most northerly of the Médoc's communal appellations, adjoining Pauillac to the south. The Saint-Estèphe terroir is distinguished by its varied soils, mainly composed of gravel on a clay-limestone subsoil. This unique combination provides excellent drainage while retaining moisture, offering ideal conditions for growing vines, particularly in times of drought.

The red wines of Saint-Estèphe are mainly made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, often complemented by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and sometimes Malbec. This diversity of grape varieties produces complex, well-balanced wines, capable of aging for several decades.

The red wines of Saint-Estèphe are renowned for their power, tannic structure and longevity. Typical aromas include notes of black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), cedar, tobacco, leather and spices. On the palate, they are rich, dense, with firm tannins and refreshing acidity, often ending with a long, persistent finish.

The Saint-Estèphe PDO covers around 1,230 hectares of vines. Annual production is close to 60,000 hectolitres, or around 8 million bottles. The châteaux in the appellation vary in size, ranging from small family estates to prestigious estates classified as Grands Crus.

The wines of Saint-Estèphe are often considered the most robust and tannic of the Médoc appellations, often requiring several years of aging to reach their peak. However, this power is balanced by an elegance and complexity that reveals itself over time. The best vintages offer deep wines, with aromatic richness and structure that enable them to age for decades.

Emblematic domains

Château Cos d'Estournel

Classed as a Second Growth in the 1855 classification, Château Cos d'Estournel is one of Saint-Estèphe's most prestigious estates. Renowned for its powerful, complex wines, Cos d'Estournel combines tradition and innovation to produce top-quality wines.

Château Montrose

Also classified as a Second Growth, Château Montrose is famous for its structured, elegant wines with exceptional aging capacity. Montrose wines are often hailed for their depth and finesse.

Château Calon-Ségur

Troisième Cru Classé, Château Calon-Ségur is one of Saint-Estèphe's historic estates. Calon-Ségur wines are renowned for their charm and ability to evolve magnificently in bottle, offering an elegant expression of Saint-Estèphe terroir.

Chateau Calon-Ségur is one of Saint-Estèphe's historic estates.