Saint-Estephe

Wine from Saint-Estephe comes out of Haut-Médoc, France, where it sits as a wine region.

The signature grape is Cabernet Sauvignon, backed by Merlot.

Vines root into clay and limestone.

The climate is maritime/oceanic.

The vineyards themselves read as estuarine.

Red wine is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows richly colored and deeply flavored and excellent aging potential.

Quality is codified by the Cru Bourgeois, which is worth reading off the label.

Producers worth knowing include Château Calon-Ségur, Château Cos d’Estournel, Château Cos Labory and Château Lafon-Rochet.

Pour them alongside beef & venison, chocolate & caramel, tomato-based dishes and blue cheeses.

decant before pouring.

Rewards decades in the cellar.

In the glass.

Red: Richly colored and deeply flavored, Excellent aging potential.

Grapes planted here.

Classifications.

• Cru Bourgeois

Producers worth knowing.

Bottles to look for.

• Chateau Andron-Blanquet, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Beau-Site, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Calon-Segur Le Marquis de Calon, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Calon-Segur, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Capbern, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Cos d'Estournel 'Les Pagodes de Cos', Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Cos d'Estournel, Saint-Estephe, France
• Chateau Cos Labory, Saint-Estephe, France

At the table.

• Beef & Venison
• Chocolate & Caramel
• Tomato-based Dishes
• Blue Cheeses

Serving and cellaring.

• decant before pouring.
• Rewards decades in the cellar.

Nearby regions.

Saint-Estephe: common questions

More from here: every wine region in France, or the wider Haut-Médoc guide.