Situation and soil

Since 1936, Haut-Medoc has been separated from the Medoc appellation. Haut-Medoc is the central and southern part of the Medoc peninsula. It is situated in a vast area of almost 4,700 ha of cultivated surface and represents approximately one third of the Left Bank's total surface. Six prestigious appellations are enclaved in the district’s centre, including Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Saint-Estephe. The diversity of the soils classifies the Haut-Médoc as a representative example of the variety of the greater Medoc's terroirs.

Characteristics

The wines produced within the appellation Haut-Medoc are generally characterized by a harmonious body without excessive power.

Main properties of the appellation

The Haut-Medoc appellation itself has five "Grand Cru Classé" - or Classified Growth:

• 3e Grand Cru Classé:
  - La Lagune
  4e Grand Cru Classé:
  - La Tour Carnet
  5e Grand Cru Classé:
  - Belgrave, Cantemerle, Camensac
  Other leading properties:
  - D'Agassac, d'Arche, d'Arcins, d'Aurilhac, Arnauld, Barreyres, Beaumont, Bel-Air, Bernadotte, du Breuil, Cambon la Pelouse, Caronne Ste-Gemme, Charmail, Cissac, Citran, Clément-Pichon, Cornélie, Coufran, Hanteillan, Lamarque, Lamothe-Bergeron, Lamothe-Cissac, Lanessan, Larose Perganson, Larose Trintaudon, Lestage-Simon, Liversan, Malleret, Malescasse, Maucamps, Paloumey, Peyre-Lebade, Ramage la Batisse, Ségur, Sénéjac, Sociando-Mallet, Soudars, Taillan, Tour du Haut-Moulin, Verdignan, Villegeorge.

This is a non exhaustive list.

Varietals and technical data (*)

The average production, mostly in red, is of approx. 255,000 hl within a planted surface of 4,700 ha.

• Authorized yields: 48 to 66 hl/ha
  Sugar (grams per liter of must): 162 gr minimum
  Base Alcoholic strength: 10% / 12.5%

Main grape variety:

• - Cabernet-Sauvignon (50%)
  - Merlot (35%)
  - Cabernet-Franc (15%)

(*) Sources:
• Bordeaux and its Wines - Ch. Cocks - Ed. Féret - 17th Edition,
• Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB)