France · AOCs
Rive Gauche (Médoc & Graves)
Cabernet-led, structured, age-worthy reds on deep gravel.
The gravel banks north and south of the city favour late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. North in the Médoc: Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe — the classed growths. South in Graves/Pessac-Léognan: reds plus Bordeaux's finest dry whites, on vineyards that run up to the city edge.
Only one estate has ever been promoted: Mouton, in 1973.
ClimateMaritime
AltitudeSea Level-40 m
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Côt (Malbec), Muscadelle
Soils
Deep gravelSandClay-Limestone
The 1855 Classification still ranks these châteaux today.
