Saint-Estèphe

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• On the gravel ridges (croupes), soils are predominantly sandy-gravelly or clay-gravelly, with a slightly higher proportion of clay than in the other village appellations of the Médoc.
• The jalles and esteys — small streams draining the soils toward the Gironde — have dissected the landscape to isolate the gravel ridges (croupes) and define several communal boundaries.
• The proximity of the Gironde, the largest estuary in Europe, moderates temperature extremes; the viticultural ridges (croupes) are separated from it to the east by a strip of low-lying alluvial land (palus) no more than 200 to 300 metres wide. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• Saint-Estèphe is the northernmost of the Médoc's village appellations d'origine contrôlée and the second largest by area, confined entirely to the territory of the commune of Saint-Estèphe. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• As early as the thirteenth century, Saint-Estèphe was already known for its fine vineyards, considered more profitable than cereal crops.
• The blend, with no proportions imposed by the specifications, is traditionally dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with some châteaux cultivating more than 60% of the variety. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The appearance is a deep red, with a robust structure, a broad tannic framework, and aromatic complexity combining spice and red fruit.
• Full-bodied and powerful, these wines require several years of ageing, which brings them roundness, fruitiness, and finesse.

• The naturally well-drained gravelly soils of the eastern part are particularly well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, while the more or less karstified limestone bedrock of the western part suits Merlot.

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

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 30 avril 2026
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIVB