Saint-Estephe

Saint-Estephe: long-lasting wines with power and elegance. Names such as Château Montrose, Château Calon-Ségur and, of course, Château Cos d'Estournel make the hearts of wine connoisseurs beat faster. Because their Grands Vins touch the soul – and can age for a small eternity. What all these famous wineries have in common is that they are located in the Bordeaux appellation of Saint-Estèphe.

Where exactly is the Saint-Estèphe appellation?

Welcome to the famous Left Bank of Bordeaux! Saint-Estèphe is located in the northern part of the Médoc at the mouth of the Gironde. This location not only protects the vines from extreme weather conditions, but also provides an ideal environment for grape growing. The appellation covers approximately 1,200 hectares and is the northernmost of the Médoc appellations.

While the Romans began viticulture in most other Médoc appellations, it was actually the Gauls who planted the first vines in Saint-Estèphe. The Romans only took over later when they conquered the area. However, viticulture did not really take off here until the Middle Ages. At that time, monks and English merchants were the main contributors to the development of viticulture. A turning point came in the 17th century, when Dutch engineers drained the marshy land and thus exploited the region's potential for the first time. The famous classification of 1855 under Napoleon III honoured five châteaux from Saint-Estèphe, including Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose as Deuxiéme Grand Crus Classés. Nevertheless, the appellation remained less prominent than Pauillac or Margaux. However, since the introduction of the Cru Bourgeois classification in 1932, Saint-Estèphe has gained momentum. This three-tier classification (Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel) has not only established itself, but is also a guarantee of high quality.

Climate and soils in Saint-Estèphe

As everywhere on the Left Bank, both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde River influence the Mediterranean climate. Cool winds blow steadily across the land from the Atlantic, while the Gironde regulates temperatures and, above all, protects against frost. This is a huge advantage, especially in late spring.

But the soils in Saint-Estèphe are no less important. These consist mainly of loamy subsoil with gravelly surfaces. The clay stores water in dry years, while the gravel ensures good drainage. This combination provides the vines with an optimal supply of nutrients. This is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon in particular. What makes Saint-Estèphe special is that it also has a limestone base covered with light clay and sand. This combination is not at all suitable for Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is ideal for Merlot. This is precisely why Saint-Estèphe is the only appellation on the Left Bank where both grapes can thrive side by side on an equal footing, with the cuvées sometimes dominated by one grape variety and sometimes by the other.

Famous Saint-Estephe wine producers

Prestigious estates like Chateau Cos d'Estournel and Chateau Montrose gave Saint-Estephe its world fame. These are both Second Growths and are renowned for producing outstanding wines that age well.

But the list of high quality Saint-Estephe wines is much larger. Check our inventory for many more of these delicious Saint-Estephe wines.

What does a wine from Saint-Estèphe taste like?

And precisely because the wines from Saint-Estèphe are based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, there are two different styles of red wine here. When Cabernet Sauvignon is the star, the wines are powerful, tannic and often need years of ageing to develop their full elegance. Examples of this style are Château Montrose and Château Cos d'Estournel. However, if the wine is mainly Merlot, it is softer, fruitier and much more accessible, especially in its youth. Châteaux Haut-Marbuzet, for example, focuses on this style.

But what unites both styles is their great classicism. Most wineries remain committed to the immortal Bordeaux tradition. And you can actually taste it. A classic Saint-Estèphe is characterised by its deep red colour, intense fruit aromas of black berries, spicy notes of pepper and tobacco, and a firm tannin structure. With increasing maturity, complex tertiary aromas such as leather or truffle develop.

What food goes well with wines from Saint-Estèphe?

Precisely because the wines are so powerful, the dishes served with them should also be hearty. Grilled lamb or braised beef are perfect examples. The same applies to venison or wild boar dishes, of course. Mature red wines are particularly impressive here. We recommend foie gras with the white wines from Saint-Estèphe, as the fruity aspects of the wines go perfectly with the creamy saltiness of the dish. And if you open a mature white wine from Saint-Estèphe, dishes with truffles are a real treat.