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Map›Bordeaux›Saint-Émilion-Satelliten (Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin, Saint-Georges)

Bordeaux · Sub-regions

Saint-Émilion-Satelliten (Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin, Saint-Georges)

North of the Barbanne lie four satellite appellations – Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin and Saint-Georges – that may append Saint-Émilion to their name. Limestone plateaus and clay slopes yield Merlot-led wines with structure and freshness.

13Wineries

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Grape Varieties

Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon

Most Famous Site

Montagne-Saint-Émilion

Vineyard Area

3.900 ha

Harvest

Mid-September – early October

TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux

Saint-Émilion-Satelliten (Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin, Saint-Georges) Limestone plateaus north of Saint-Émilion

Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin and Saint-Georges share limestone and Merlot with Saint-Émilion — only the Barbanne stream and the price set them apart.

☀ Maritime⛰ Slope: moderateMerlotCabernet FrancCabernet Sauvignon

What is terroir? →

SOILS

Limestoneprecise, mineral

Limestone delivers tension, structure and a cooler, more mineral character.

Loambody-rich, velvety

Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.

Marlbalanced, structured

Marl is a mix of limestone and clay — yields structured, balanced wines with acidity backbone.

Sandaromatic, approachable

Loose sand and wind-blown sand warm up quickly and hold little water — they give aromatic, early-drinking wines with soft tannins; phylloxera-resistant.

CLIMATE · Maritime

Oceanic climate as in Saint-Émilion, in the satellites north of the Barbanne. The rolling plateaus and slopes ensure good air circulation, and the influence of the Dordogne is smaller than on the côtes of Saint-Émilion.

TOPOGRAPHY · moderate

Rolling limestone plateaus and slopes around Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin and Saint-Georges; the Barbanne largely forms the northern boundary of Saint-Émilion, and Montagne surrounds Saint-Georges. Sand and clay prevail in the north, clay-limestone plateaus in the centre and limestone slopes in the south.

WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS

Merlot plum & cherrytauter than Saint-Émilionfirm tanninmedium bodybest value on the right bank5–12 years

Typical Flavours of the Region

Region aroma cloud

PlumBlack cherryChocolateTruffleCedarVioletRaspberryRedcurrantBell pepperGraphitePencil shavingsBlackcurrantBlackberryCedarwoodLeatherTobacco

→ Aroma wheel and variety profiles

Bordeaux overview

This sub-region is part of Bordeaux. The map shows all 23 sub-regions — Saint-Émilion-Satelliten (Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin, Saint-Georges) is highlighted.

Overview

Wineries13

Detailed profiles3

Typical Varieties

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Sauvignon

Terroir & Climate

Wine Character

The four satellites Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin and Saint-Georges lie north and northeast of Saint-Émilion on the right bank of the Barbanne stream and may add the name Saint-Émilion to their appellation. Montagne is the largest at about 1,500 hectares and Saint-Georges the smallest at about 180 hectares; Lussac stands at roughly 1,400 hectares and Puisseguin at a little over 700 hectares planted.

The soils resemble those of the neighbour: limestone plateaus and clayey slopes, with sand and gravel at the foot of the slopes. The climate is oceanic; owing to their position and higher plateaus the satellites are considered slightly cooler, and ripening tends to come later.

Only red wines are made in all four appellations. Merlot is the most used variety, complemented by Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The wines are structured and fresh and usually cost less than those of the main appellation.

Soil Type

Limestone plateaus (starfish limestone) and clay slopes, with sand and gravel at the slope foot – similar to neighbouring Saint-Émilion.

Climate

Oceanic, somewhat cooler thanks to the position north of the Barbanne and the higher plateaus; ripening usually begins later than in Saint-Émilion.

Top profiles

3 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list below

Château les Vieux Rocs

Saint-Émilion-Satelliten (Montagne, Lussac, Puisseguin, Saint-Georges) · Lussac-Saint-Émilion