Situation and soil

Saint-Estephe is the most Northern district out of the six communal AOC of the Medoc area. The Saint-Estephe wine commune is located North to Pauillac, along the Gironde estuary, about halfway between the city of Bordeaux and the Atlantic ocean. Saint-Estephe’s soil is geologically characterized by a remarkable diversity: gravels, limestone, echinoderm fossils and quartz mingled at the surface to a light sandy earth, which gives a typical smoothness to the wines. 

Characteristics

The young wines of Saint Estephe are often closed and austere with little bouquet. Generally they require a long cellaring before revealing all their richness and potential. The Saint-Estephe appellation has five Classified Growths and 40 "Crus Bourgeois".

Main properties of the appellation

• 2e Grand Cru Classé:
  - Cos d'Estournel et Montrose
• 3e Grand Cru Classé:
  - Calon Ségur
• 4e Grand Cru Classé:
  - Lafon Rochet.
• 5e Grand Cru Classé:
  - Cos Labory
• Other leading properties:
  - Andron Blanquet, Beau-Site, le Boscq, Capbern-Gasqueton, Chambert-Marbuzet, Clauzet, le Crock, Haut Marbuzet, Lilian Ladouys, Meyney, Ormes de Pez, de Pez, Petit-Bocq, Phélan Ségur, Pomys, Tour de Pez, Tour de Marbuzet, Tour de Mons, Tronquoy-Lalande

This is a non exhaustive list.

Varietals and technical data (*)

The average production, almost exclusively in red, is of approx. 70,000 hl within a planted surface of 1230 ha.

• Authorized yields: approx. 47 to 66 hl/ha
• Sugar (grams per liter of must) : 171 gr minimum
• Base Alcoholic strength: 10% / 13%

Main grape variety:

• - Cabernet-Sauvignon (55%)
• - Merlot (35%)
• - Cabernet-Franc (10%)

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