France — wine
Saint-Estèphe
Northernmost Haut-Médoc commune. Heavier clay soils produce more tannic, austere, slower-developing wines. No First Growths, but Cos d'Estournel (Second Growth) achieves exceptional quality. The most structured and age-demanding of the Médoc communes.
Benchmark products
Vintage assessments
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 92 | Excellent. Strong warm vintage. Cos d'Estournel reportedly exceptional. Long-term holding. |
| 2021 | 87 | Good. Classic austerity in youth. Will reward patience. Montrose performing particularly well. |
| 2020 | 90 | Excellent. Clay soils retained water through warm conditions. Strong year for Saint-Estèphe. |
| 2019 | 91 | Very good. Classic Saint-Estèphe — dark, iron, structured. Excellent ageing potential. |
| 2018 | 93 | Outstanding. Saint-Estèphe's clay soil retaining moisture perfectly. Montrose and Calon-Ségur exceptional. |
| 2016 | 96 | Century vintage. Calon-Ségur, Montrose, and Cos d'Estournel all legendary. Merlot from clay delivering. |