Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire

France · AOC · South-West

Styles

Natural factors

10 communes in the Gironde, on the right bank of the Garonne, 40 km upstream from Bordeaux, near Langon.
A highly irregular relief of hillsides running parallel to the river, cut through by tributaries that have carved out broad valleys.
Astéries limestone bedrock (Oligocene): the foundation of Saint-Macaire; gives rise to shallow brown calcareous soils well suited to the vine.
Molasse de l'Agenais (sandstone, sands, clay, gravel) produces clay-rich "terreforts" soils suited to whites and acidic "boulbènes" soils that are unfavourable.
An ancient terrace at 90 m elevation (reddish clayey sands and gravels, remnants of a Quaternary paleo-Garonne): stony brown soils well adapted to the vine.

Human factors

The AOC was recognised in 1937 for white wines across 10 communes; the permitted grape varieties are muscadelle, sauvignon, sauvignon gris, and sémillon.

Product characteristics

Aromas of flowers and white fruits (sémillon), fruity notes and freshness (sauvignon, muscadelle); a broad, soft palate.
Sweet wines: great aromatic complexity, with notes of citrus, honey, and spice; grapes harvested in successive tries at full over-ripeness (Botrytis cinerea).

Terroir / wine link

South-facing hillsides on sandy-clay soils or gravel/Molasse de l'Agenais → a distinctive expression of sémillon B. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.