The Medoc, Bordeaux Province

A very refined, suave, powerful and elegant wine

The Medoc has several of the finest quality Famous Chateaux the in the world, Premier Cru since 1855. Their number including the "great dolls house" of a Chateau, Margeaux and both the Rothschild Chateaux, Lafite and Mouton, They are surrounded by smaller estates and villages mostly in the area of Pauillac, bedside the tidal river Garonne, many worth a visit.

Sited to the west of Bordeaux, where most historians claim the wine trade was started by the English during the reign of Eleanor of Aquitaine, it is bordered to the north by the river Garonne, the east by the city of Bordeaux and the south by Aquitaine which includes the remarkable Bassin d'Arcachon. This low lying quite flat landscape has a maritime feel, with forests and marshlands it has a poor gravel soil and some excellent sandy Atlantic beaches noted for good surfing.

The soil, a mixture of gravel, pebbles and sand is ideal for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape of Medoc, now copied world wide.

Young Medoc is often inexpensive, is a delightful ruby red colour with a floral bouquet and fine fruity flavours and aged in oak barrels acquires tannin aromas and can greatly improve in the bottle often needing time, at least 5, often 10 years to mature , will keep for 30 and becomes a very refined, suave, powerful and elegant wine.