Saint-Estèphe AC
[san teh-STEHF]
The northernmost of the communal APPELLATIONS in the HAUT-MÉDOC area of France’s BORDEAUX region. Of the wines from the well-known COMMUNES in the Haut-Médoc, those from Saint-Estèphe AC are usually ranked fourth in quality after those of MARGAUX, PAUILLAC, and SAINT-JULIEN. This ranking is because Saint-Estèphe contains fewer (only five) GRAND CRU CLASSÉ châteaux and more CRUS BOURGEOIS. The grand cru classé CHÂTEAUX are Calon-Ségur, Cos d’Estournel, Cos Labory, Lafon-Rochet, and Montrose. Saint-Estèphe AC wines are made from CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT, CABERNET FRANC, and PETIT VERDOT. They’re often described as being full-bodied (see BODY), the most TANNIC, and requiring the longest period to mature. Many producers are now using more Merlot to produce suppler (see SUPPLE), SOFTER wines.
Related Links:
appellation, Haut-Mé
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.
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