<p><strong>Saint -Est&egrave;phe</strong>, with 1,377 hectares under vine is the largest of the major Bordeaux appellations in the Medoc. Located in the most northern part of the Left Bank, on average, 585,000 cases of wine are produced each year. The soils see a rich mixture of rocks, clay, limestone and gravel that rests on the surface and of course below, deep in the terroir. Beneath the surface lies a complex blend of different soils, sub soils and terroir. Over the past several decades, the general trend in the Saint -Est&egrave;phe vineyards has been to add more Merlot, which has added a lot of softness to the tannins and the wines. Merlot works well in the appellation due to the large amount of clay found in the soils. in the appellation due to the large amount of clay found in the soils.</p>

<p><strong>Pauillac</strong> is Bordeaux&rsquo;s most acclaimed appellation, the only one with three Premier Cru properties: Ch&acirc;teau Lafite-Rothschild, Ch&acirc;teau Mouton-Rothschild and Ch&acirc;teau Latour. These and other Pauillac chateaux produce robust, full-flavored and long-lived red wines made from Cabernet-based blends. Though winemaking techniques and microclimates vary throughout Pauillac, producing some variations in style, classic Pauillac wines have juicy flavours of blackcurrant and cedar, often with coffee, chocolate and graphite notes. Pauillac, part of the M&eacute;doc region on Bordeaux&rsquo;s Left Bank, has gravelly and well-drained soils that force vines to grow long and strong roots. Struggling a bit for water, the vines produce grapes with high tannins and concentrated juices. Nearby rivers and the Atlantic Ocean modulate temperatures, preventing the grapes

<p>Small but mighty, the appellation of <strong>St.-Julien</strong>, on Bordeaux&rsquo;s Left Bank, has long enjoyed a reputation for exceptional quality and consistency. Compared to its neighbours in Bordeaux, St.-Julien produces the highest proportion of classified-growth wines, with more than three-quarters of the vineyards devoted to top-ranked producers. They include several &ldquo;Super Second&rdquo; chateaux and many other outstanding classified growths and Cru Bourgeois. Saint-Julien wines are beautifully balanced, with a great richness, depth of colour, and elegance. Cabernet Sauvignon prevails, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc used for blending in the classic Bordeaux style.</p>

<p>The <strong>M&eacute;doc</strong>, Bordeaux&rsquo;s largest and best-known wine region, is located on the triangular piece of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde River estuary in western France. This Left Bank parcel stretches some 50 miles north to south, with varying soils planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines. The area comprises two regions: M&eacute;doc to the north and Haut-M&eacute;doc (the &ldquo;upper Medoc&rdquo;) further south.</p> <p>The <strong>Haut-M&eacute;doc</strong> encompasses the famed communes of Saint-Est&egrave;phe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux, but also includes vineyards surrounding these appellations. The wines from these surrounding vineyards are labelled Haut-M&eacute;doc AOC. They share many of the traditions and qualities of their prestigious neighbours, but are generally produced in a lighter style with fragran