The first vines of the Saint-Estèphe appellation zone were planted during the Roman occupation. However, it was not until the Middle Ages that the region's renown grew, thanks to Bordeaux négociants who, at the time, aged and sold the wines. Then, in the 19th century, the production area experienced fine prosperity. It was logically during this period that the current great properties were built, witnesses to the power and dynamism of Saint-Estèphe. Since then, the appellation has honoured its reputation and conquered many markets. With half its production exported, it reaches notably Belgium, England, the United States, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Stretching 7 kilometres along the Gironde, Saint-Estèphe seduces with its diversity of landscapes manifested by an alternation of hillsides and plateaux. With its 1,370 hectares, it is one of the most important communal AOCs of the Médoc. The climate is influenced by the Atlantic. Mild and rainy at the start of the season, it becomes hot and stormy in summer before being dry and warm during harvest.
The different soil colours betray the variety of terroirs — the broadest in the Haut-Médoc. Thanks to the significant fluvial erosion that took place 10,000 years ago, the territory was heavily dissected. The result is a true landscape of ridges with considerable relief. Gravelly and well-drained, these ridges prevent excess humidity. The slopes allow relative dryness and deep vine rooting. Marine limestone with characteristic regional mollusc specimens is also found at Saint-Estèphe. This geological multiplicity brings personality and character to the wines.
Saint-Estèphe, the northernmost of the communal appellations, has different families of growths. Five 1855 classified growths are found here: Calon Ségur, Cos d'Estournel, Cos Labory, Lafon-Rochet and Montrose. There are also around forty crus bourgeois, one cru artisan (Château La Peyre) and a vinification cooperative representing 85 members and 120 hectares.
The main grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It is difficult to define a single wine style, given the multiple nuances offered by the diversity of terroirs. But there are common points to all these wines: tannic, powerful, rich and fleshy, they possess fine ageing potential. With age they gain roundness, fruitiness and finesse, as well as ever more harmonious balance. Quality wines with a generous and complex bouquet that impress with their structure.
Saint-Estèphe is often presented as the most tannic and most austere in its youth of the great Médoc appellations. But it is precisely this structure that gives it exceptional ageing potential. Vintages such as 2009, 2010 and 2016 produced wines at Saint-Estèphe of remarkable depth and complexity, capable of rivalling the finest Pauillacs and Margaux. For importers and wine merchants specialising in great wines for ageing, Saint-Estèphe represents a prime investment.
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