Saint-Estèphe

The layers of gravel on top of clay lead to comparatively poor drainage, and the harvest is one of the latest of the whole region, although this water retention can be of use in vintages of low rainfall.

The terroir gives rise to wines that are vivid in colour, earthy, stout, robust and highly tannic. Due to this firm structure they reach maturity slower than other Medoc wines, however it is well worth the wait as the end-product is of supreme quality.
Chateau Montrose and Cos d’Estournel are head of the pack here, producing superlative wines to match even the most highly praised and established chateaus of the wider Medoc region.

Soils: Gravels, clays and sands
Size: 1,200 hectares
Output: 9,000,000 bottles
Type of wine produced: Tannic, structured full-bodied reds.
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Malbec.