The Saint Estephe AOC (8 Best Wines, Tasting Notes, Prices 2024)

iconic Saint Estephe appellation is home to prestigious Grand Cru Classe Chateaux like Chateau Cos d'Estournel and Chateau Montrose. Let’s take a tour of the prestigious Saint Estephe wine region and explore the best wines, their investment potential, its beautiful vineyard sites and winemaking practices.

Quick Facts About The Saint Estephe AOC

Saint Estephe is known for its red wines, all of which are beautiful expressions of the region’s exceptional terroir.

Where is the Saint Estephe Wine Region?

St Estephe is an appellation of the Medoc wine region (bordering with Pauillac in the south) in Bordeaux, France. 

The appellation is named after the commune of Saint Estephe, located on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary. 

What Grapes are Used to Make Saint Estephe Wine?

St Estephe red wine blends are made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grape varieties.

What does Saint Estephe Wine Taste Like?

The wines have bright acidity, balanced structure, soft tannins, and high alcohol content (at least 10.5% ABV.) The flavor profile includes notes of black fruit, spice, and vanilla.

What is the aging potential of Saint Estephe Wine?

From 5 to 50 years.

How big is the Saint Estephe Appellation?

St Estephe has 1,277 hectares of vine plantings with a vine density of around 7,000 grape vines per hectare.

What is the Saint Estephe Terroir like?

The Saint Estephe terroir has a high percentage of clay soil deposits mixed with gravel, sand, and limestone.

Saint Estephe has an elevation of up to 20 meters and a cool climate with occasional rains.

What is the Annual Saint Estephe Wine Production?

Saint Estephe produces about 585,000 cases of wine a year.

What is the Saint Estephe Wine Classification?

Five Saint Estephe wines are included in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Classification:

• Second Growth: Chateau Cos d'Estournel and Chateau Montrose
• Third Growth: Chateau Calon Segur
• Fourth Growth: Chateau Lafon-Rochet
• Fifth Growth: Chateau Cos Labory

There are also some wines classified as Cru Bourgeois.

How is Saint Estephe Wine Made?

The winemaking process includes:

• Harvesting with machines or by hand
• Alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks for 2-4 weeks, followed by malolactic fermentation
• Careful blending of the individual batches of wine
• Maturing the wine in oak barrels for 6-18 months

8 Best Saint Estephe Wines to Buy in 2024

Here are some of the finest Saint Estephe wine bottles to add to your collection:

• 2010 Chateau Cos d'Estournel
• 2009 Chateau Montrose
• 1998 Domaine Prats Chateau de Marbuzet
• 1970 Chateau Meyney 'Prieure des Couleys de Meyney'
• 2018 Chateau Calon-Segur
• 1966 Marquis de Saint-Estephe 'Saint-Estephe'
• 1989 Chateau Lafon-Rochet
• 1986 Chateau Haut-Marbuzet

1. 2010 Chateau Cos d'Estournel ($355)

This Cabernet Sauvignon red wine blend has dominant black cherry and cassis flavors. The fruity palate is accompanied by a nose of tobacco, leather, and earth aromas.

2. 2009 Chateau Montrose ($352)

This Saint Estephe wine showcases exquisite elegance with aromas of applewood smoke and spice. The palate offers fine tannin, fresh plum fruit flavors, and licorice undertones.

3. 1998 Domaine Prats Chateau de Marbuzet ($327)

This dry red wine is sensual with flavors of red cherry fruit and blueberry. The rich flavor profile is accompanied by opulent aromas of licorice, spice, and smoke.

4. 1970 Chateau Meyney 'Prieure des Couleys de Meyney' ($124)

This Cabernet-dominant vintage with pleasant garnet color has a well-balanced character, mild acidity, and soft tannin mouthfeel. Earthy and oaky aromas offset the dominant black cherry and blackberry flavors.

5. 2018 Chateau Calon-Segur ($149)

Here we have a wine with delightful freshness and elegance. The wine is made with 65% of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety blended with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The palate offers blueberry, cherry, cassis, and plum notes accompanied by subtle leather and tobacco aromas.

6. 1966 Marquis de Saint-Estephe 'Saint-Estephe' ($172)

This well-aged Bordeaux wine has enchanting forest aromas, dominant blackcurrant taste, and seductive vanilla undertones.

7. 1989 Chateau Lafon-Rochet ($118)

This sensual Bordeaux wine offers a silky tannin mouthfeel and pleasant mushroom and plum flavor profile offset by spice and smoke aromas.

8. 1986 Chateau Haut-Marbuzet ($111)

Here we have a full-bodied red wine with delicate black fruit flavors, smokey undertones, and a long-lasting oaky finish.

Investing in Saint Estephe Wines

Some of the best vintages to look for are 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2000, 1996, and 1982.

Apart from their aging potential that can easily reach up to half a century, these wines also have had impressive price increases over the years. 

For example, the Third Growth wine Calon Segur 2016 is priced about 20% lower than other well known wines as it’s still gaining momentum in the market. The Calon Segur 2009 is predicted to rise by 19% in value per year. 

If you’re looking for other classified growth Chateaux, consider some of the Second Growth Saint Estephe wines, which are popular at many auctions. For example:

• A 4-bottle lot Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1982 sold for $5,055 in a 2020 Sotheby’s auction.
• A 11-bottle lot of Chateau Montrose sold for $1,566 in a 2021 Sotheby’s auction.

If you want to invest in exceptional Saint Estephe or other fine wines, you should do it through a leading wine investment company like Vinovest, which lets you invest with just a few clicks!

Get a Sensual Saint Estephe Wine

Whether you want to treat yourself to a glass of fine wine, celebrate a special occasion, or start your own wine collection, Saint Estephe wines are a great choice.

Make sure to check out the Vinovest website for the easiest way to buy, store, and sell collectible wines from around the world.