TERROIR PROFILE

Médoc & Haut-Médoc

Classic left-bank terroir

Médoc & Haut-Médoc: the left bank's grand stage — and its best supporting roles.

WarmthSunDrynessMineralityBodyFreshness

TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux

Médoc & Haut-Médoc Classic left-bank terroir

Médoc & Haut-Médoc: the left bank's grand stage — and its best supporting roles.

MaritimeSlope: gentleCabernet SauvignonMerlotCabernet FrancPetit Verdot
What is terroir?

SOILS

Gravel / Sandlight, approachable

Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.

Loambody-rich, velvety

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

Limestoneprecise, mineral

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

CLIMATE · Maritime

Full Atlantic climate between Gironde and ocean — mild, humid, screened by pine forests.

TOPOGRAPHY · gentle

Gravel ridges along the river, fading west into sand and forest — 'the best vines see the water'.

WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS

blackcurrantclassic Bordeaux blendmedium-firm tanninstrong value field (Cru Bourgeois)

Similar terroirs worldwide

Computed from fingerprint similarity

Saint-Estèphe

Bordeaux

94% similar

  • Minerality (slightly): Médoc & Haut-Médoc is less mineral → fruit-led, rounder (6 vs. 7).
  • Body (slightly): Médoc & Haut-Médoc gives less body → finer, lighter wines (8 vs. 9).

Listrac-Médoc & Moulis-en-Médoc

Bordeaux

94% similar

  • Warmth (slightly): Médoc & Haut-Médoc is cooler → tauter fruit, leaner wines, more acidity (5 vs. 6).
  • Body (slightly): Médoc & Haut-Médoc gives more body → fuller, more powerful wines (8 vs. 7).

Pomerol

Bordeaux

93% similar

  • Warmth (slightly): Médoc & Haut-Médoc is cooler → tauter fruit, leaner wines, more acidity (5 vs. 6).
  • Minerality (slightly): Médoc & Haut-Médoc is less mineral → fruit-led, rounder (6 vs. 7).

This terroir's soils in the glossary