Saint-Estephe

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Overview

Saint-Estephe is the largest (in volume of wine produced) and the most northerly located of the main communes of the Left Bank, situated as the Gironde widens on its way to the sea. The commune borders Pauillac to the south; a small stream separates the Saint-Estephe commune from Ch Lafite-Rothschild in Pauillac. In the north, Saint-Estephe borders onto Bas-Medoc, which stretches all the way to where the Gironde River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

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Overview

The soil in Saint-Estephe is varied, and here we find the least gravel heavy soil of the four main Haut-Medoc communes. In the south-eastern corner of the commune the soils are deep gravel over hard iron-rich sandstone (similar to what is found in the Pauillac commune). In the west and northerly end of the commune the soil has more clay and less gravel – the clay heavy soils produce the best wines in warm vintages because clay has higher water holding capacity than for example gravel or limestone.

Classification

Saint-Estephe’s wines are classified in the 1855 classification, but no chateaux have 1^st Growth status here. Two chateaux have 2^nd Growth (some would say ‘super-second’ status to denote their superiority to other 2^nd Growths) and a further 3 chateaux are classified as either 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th Growth, of which more info can be found in the specific chateau’s content. Overall Saint-Estephe has the smallest number of chateaux classified.

Key Grape Varieties

Generally, there is more Merlot planted in Saint-Estephe than in the rest of Haut-Medoc, although many chateaux’ vineyards are planted with a two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Compared to Pauillac, the wines from Saint-Estephe are often more compact and aromatic, they can be a bit more tannic, and are overall often considered a touch more rustic compared to its southerly neighbours.