WineRegionsOld WorldFranceBordeauxMedoc
St.-Estephe
An abundance of Bourgeois Growths such as the Chateau of Andron-Blanquet,
Beau-Site, le Bosq, Domeyne, la Haye, Lavilotte, Meyney and de Pez, to name
but a few, makes St.-Estephe the "bargain basement" of Bordeaux.
And with just five crus classe´s covering a mere six per cent of the
commune, it is a rich source of undervalued clarets where the prices paid
by wine drinkers are unlikely to be "gazumped" by wine-investors.
CHATEAU COS D ESTOURNEL
While the commune might lack classified growths, it does not lack class.
If it had just one cru classe´, the stunning, stylish Chateau Cos d'Estournel,
St.-Estephe would still be famous. The reputation of this chateau soared
after perfectionist Bruno Prats took over in 1971. Essentially, this success
can be put down to his maximizing the true potential of Cos d'Estournel's
exceptional terroir a superb south-facing ridge of gravel with perfect drainage.
Those vineyards on heavier soil with less gravel and more clay tend to produce
wines of a more rustic style.
THE NEW WAVE
Most St.-Estephe wines are well structured and have great longevity, but
they have more fruit than they used to, and this fruit is now accessible
at a relatively young age. It was once essential to buy only the greatest
vintages and wait twenty years or more before drinking them. These wines
are still capable of great longevity, but an increasing use of the Merlot
and vinification techniques that extract the color and fruit in preference
to the harsher tannins, makes them richer, fruitier and drinkable in most
vintages.