Winegeeks

“S” appellations

Saint-Estèphe

Of the four great communes of the Haut-Médoc, Saint-Estèphe is the largest and sits at the northern end of the area, nestled against the muddy Gironde estuary. During the 1855 Classifications of Bordeaux wines Saint-Estèphe was awarded only 5 classed growths while Pauillac to the immediate south received 18, evidence that the wines of Saint-Estèphe have always been thought of as good rather than great by Haut-Médoc standards. There are, however, over 40 cru bourgeois, which may not be on par with the classed growths but are excellent wines nonetheless.

Soil types vary, with a heavy clay-based soil to the north and west end of the commune and heavy gravel in the southeast, and a mix of the two somewhere in the middle. In the northern end Merlot provides better results than the Cabernets that dominate the Left Bank of the Gironde, and producers there have had more success as of late with this varietal than in the past. In the southern portion of the commune the wines are generally made from high percentages of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The wines of Saint-Estèphe have always been considered just a little too tough and tannic for their own good, lacking the richness and grace of Pauillac to the south though the southern part of Saint-Estèphe boasts the same gravelly soil. They are slow to mature, and can be hard to enjoy in their youth. The best examples usually come from the southern end of the commune and can compete with Margaux and Pauillac by offering the aromatics of Margaux mixed with the plush richness of the wines of Pauillac, all tied to a certain spicy character that is unique to Saint-Estèphe. Indeed, Cos d'Estournel with its Asian and African-inspired Château is said to exemplify this spiciness.

While Saint-Estèphe may not be known for the classed growths, there are a large number of fine wines that often carry a slighter smaller pricetag than those found nearby. Forward-thinking producers have experimented here with more Merlot based wines, and the reputation of Saint-Estèphe has improved along with the wines over the last two decades.

White wines from the region, though rare, are sold as either AC Bordeaux or Bordeaux Supérieur.

Visit Bordeaux for an in depth look at the history of Bordeaux.

Location

France → Bordeaux → Haut-Médoc

Appellation Type

French AOC

Wineries (8)

Château Calon-Ségur
Château Cos d'Estournel
Chateau la Commanderie
Château Montrose
Chateau Phelan Segur
Cos D' Estournel
La Croix Bonis
Les Pagodes De St. Estephe

Wines (19)

Chateau Montrose Saint-Estèphe 1981 375mL Saint-Estèphe Red
Chateau la Commanderie Saint-Est�phe Cru Bourgeois 2004 Saint-Estèphe Red
Les Pagodes De St. Estephe Saint-Estephe 2000 Saint-Estèphe Red
Cos D' Estournel Saint-Est�phe 2nd Growth 2001 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe 2nd Growth 1988 Saint-Estèphe Red
Cos D' Estournel Saint-Estephe 1967 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château Lafon-Rochet Saint-Estephe 1967 Saint-Estèphe Red
Cos D' Estournel Saint-Estephe 1966 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château Montrose Saint-Estephe 1966 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château Rauzan-Gassies Saint-Estèphe 1943 Saint-Estèphe Red
Cos D' Estournel St.-Estephe Bordeaux 2000 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château les Ormes de Pez St.-Estephe Bordeaux 2000 Saint-Estèphe Red
La Croix Bonis Saint-Estèphe 2000 Saint-Estèphe Red
Chateau Phelan Segur Saint-Estèphe 2002 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château Meyney St-Estephe Cru Bourgeouis 1999 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château Calon-Ségur St-Estèphe 1998 Saint-Estèphe Red
Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 1999 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 1997 Saint-Estèphe Red
Château les Ormes de Pez Saint-Estèphe 1995 Saint-Estèphe Red