📜 Saint-Estèphe

Saint-Estèphe is a French protected designation of origin (AOC, PDO) for still red wine from the Médoc, in the department of Gironde. It has been in the EU register since 18 September 1973.

The area is the single municipality of Saint-Estèphe, on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, halfway between Bordeaux and Pointe de Grave. Grapes are harvested and wines made, developed and aged there. According to the specification it is the northernmost of the Médoc designations tied to one municipality, and the second largest by area. Gravelly Quaternary terraces, resting on Eocene and Oligocene marl and limestone, lie at 4 to 40 metres.

The main varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Cot (Malbec). The specification states that Cabernet Sauvignon is usually the main variety of the blend.

The wines are still reds with an intense colour. Minimum natural alcoholic strength is 11% vol, and total strength after enrichment may not exceed 13.5% vol. Each batch has at most 0.30 g/l of malic acid and at most 2 g/l of fermentable sugar. Subtractive enrichment is permitted up to a concentration rate of 15%.

The maximum yield is 63 hectolitres per hectare. Minimum planting density is 7,000 vines per hectare, with rows at most 1.50 m apart and plants at least 0.80 m apart. Pruning follows the Médoc cane method or short pruning, with a maximum of 12 buds per plant. The 1855 Bordeaux classification recognised five crus in the municipality.