TERROIR PROFILE
Saint-Estèphe
Clay-gravel terroir, robust
Saint-Estèphe: the iron north — Médoc with soil under its fingernails.
Climate, site & wine
Gravel over heavy clay and limestone stores water better than the soils further south and ensures balance in dry years. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the lead variety, while Merlot gains importance on clay.
The wines are dark, firm and earthy, with a solid tannin structure and high ageing potential; Saint-Estèphe is often regarded as the most rustic and slowest-opening style of the Médoc.
TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux
Saint-Estèphe Clay-gravel terroir, robust
Saint-Estèphe: the iron north — Médoc with soil under its fingernails.
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
Oceanic climate in the northernmost of the great Médoc communes, closest to the mouth of the Gironde. The clay-rich soil stores water and helps in hot, dry years.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Rounded gravel mounds over clay and limestone beds that reach a little over 30 metres; the highest point lies on the hill of Cos. The gravel cover is in places thinner and finer, and the clay subsoil is often closer to the surface.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Médoc & Haut-Médoc
Bordeaux
94% similar
- Warmth (slightly): Saint-Estèphe is cooler → tauter fruit, leaner wines, more acidity (5 vs. 6).
- Body (slightly): Saint-Estèphe gives more body → fuller, more powerful wines (8 vs. 7).
Blaye & Bourg
Bordeaux
94% similar
- Warmth (slightly): Saint-Estèphe is cooler → tauter fruit, leaner wines, more acidity (5 vs. 6).
- Body (slightly): Saint-Estèphe gives more body → fuller, more powerful wines (8 vs. 7).
Wineries on this terroir
See all 9 →Château Montrose
Saint-Estèphe
Renown 88/100
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe
Renown 88/100
Château Calon Ségur
Saint-Estèphe
Renown 84/100
Château Lafon Rochet
Saint-Estèphe
Renown 80/100
Château Cos Labory
Saint-Estèphe
Renown 77/100
Château Lilian Ladouys
Saint-Estèphe
Château Sérilhan
Saint-Estèphe
Château Tour des Termes
Saint-Estèphe
This terroir's soils in the glossary