Saint-Estèphe
The Saint-Estèphe appellation, originally known as Saint-Esteve de Calones, is located on the left bank of the Bordeaux winegrowing area. It is adjacent to the Pauillac and Médoc appellations and covers 1,200 hectares. The wines are renowned for their blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot but may also contain Carménère, Cot (or Malbec) and Petit Verdot. Saint-Estèphe wines are aged in small oak barrels and display black fruit aromas, such as blackcurrant and blackberry, as well as floral notes of violet and spices. The 1855 classification gave five châteaux grand cru classé status: Cos d'Estournel, Montrose, Calon Ségur, Lafon-Rochet and Cos Labory. Other well-known Saint-Estèphe names are Château Haut Marbuzet, and Château Phélan Ségur, as well as the outstanding Crus bourgeois Château Le Crock and Château Laffitte Carcasset. Château Lilian Ladouys and Château Meyney can be found at softer price points.
