Saint-Émilion: Everything You Need to Know About Bordeaux's Right Bank Jewel
Saint-Émilion: Everything You Need to Know About Bordeaux's Right Bank Jewel
By Alessandra Esteves, DipWSET, FWS, SWS, CSW, MW Candidate | 305 Wines, Miami, FL
Saint-Émilion is one of the most compelling appellations in Bordeaux — and one of the most misunderstood. Its wines are often more approachable than Left Bank Bordeaux, which leads some to underestimate them. That's a mistake. At their best, Saint-Émilion wines are among the most complex, age-worthy, and emotionally resonant in the world.
This guide covers the appellation's geography, classification system, key producers, top vintages, and what makes Saint-Émilion distinct from the rest of Bordeaux. At 305 Wines in Miami, we carry a curated selection of Saint-Émilion across multiple vintages and styles — from accessible Grand Cru to serious Grand Cru Classé.
Where Is Saint-Émilion?
Saint-Émilion is located on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, to the east of the city of Bordeaux itself, in the Libournais district. It sits along the north-facing slopes and plateau above the Dordogne River. The medieval town of Saint-Émilion — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — sits at the heart of the appellation.
Unlike the Left Bank, where the most prestigious estates tend to cluster near the river on gravelly soils, Saint-Émilion's top terroirs are found on the plateau and slopes above the town, where limestone and clay soils dominate. This is Merlot country, with Cabernet Franc playing an important supporting role.
Saint-Émilion's Two Terroirs
Understanding Saint-Émilion requires understanding its two distinct soil types, each producing a different style of wine:
The Plateau and Côtes (slopes): The highest-quality vineyard sites. Limestone and clay soils, with cooler temperatures. Wines from here tend to be structured, mineral, and long-lived. Châteaux Ausone and Cheval Blanc (a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc) sit here.
The Plain (the flatter land below): Sandy, alluvial soils closer to the Dordogne. Wines here are lighter, fruitier, and earlier-drinking. Many of the appellation's larger-volume wines come from this zone.
This terroir distinction is part of why Saint-Émilion's classification system matters — and why it's controversial.
The Saint-Émilion Classification System
Saint-Émilion has its own classification system, separate from the famous 1855 Médoc classification. It was established in 1955 and, crucially, is revised roughly every decade — a design intended to allow movement up and down the ranks based on current performance. In practice, revisions have been contentious, with legal challenges following the 2012 and 2022 reclassifications.
The hierarchy, from top to bottom:
Premier Grand Cru Classé A (PGCCA): The very top. Currently includes Châteaux Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Angélus, and Pavie (though Ausone and Cheval Blanc withdrew from the classification in 2021). Wines in this tier command prices comparable to First Growths in the Médoc.
Premier Grand Cru Classé B (PGCCB): A larger group of top estates. Highly regarded, collectible, and age-worthy. This is where many of Saint-Émilion's most recognized names sit.
Grand Cru Classé: Classified estates of solid quality, with defined terroir and track records of consistent production.
Grand Cru: The entry-level of the Saint-Émilion hierarchy. Wines labeled Saint-Émilion Grand Cru must meet minimum alcohol and production standards beyond the basic Saint-Émilion AOC. This is a large, diverse category.
Key Producers in Our Selection
Château Grand Mayne — Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Château Grand Mayne is a Grand Cru Classé estate located on the western côtes of Saint-Émilion, on limestone and clay soils. The property has been in the Nony family for over 40 years and has a strong track record for producing structured, serious wines that reward patience.
The 2020 vintage is a standout. Deep ruby in color, with concentrated black fruit, graphite, dried herbs, and fine-grained tannins. The 2020 season produced exceptional conditions on the Right Bank — warm, dry, and even — and Grand Mayne delivered a wine with both concentration and structure. This is a wine for cellaring over the next 10 to 15 years, though it is already showing well.
Château La Grave Figeac — Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Not to be confused with the illustrious Figeac estate, Château La Grave Figeac 2020 occupies sandy and gravelly soils near the Pomerol border — a transitional terroir that often produces wines with more roundness and immediate fruit than the côtes wines.
This is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (non-classified) that punches above its tier. The 2020 shows plum, red currant, and a touch of graphite on the nose, with a supple midpalate and a clean, medium-length finish. At under $45, it is one of the better value plays in our Bordeaux lineup.
Tempo d'Angélus — Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Tempo d'Angélus is the third wine of Château Angélus, a Premier Grand Cru Classé A estate. This is a meaningful provenance. Angélus is one of the most celebrated addresses in Saint-Émilion, known for its rich, concentrated, and polished style.
The Tempo d'Angélus 2023 offers access to the Angélus house style at a fraction of the grand vin's price. The 2023 vintage was warm and generous on the Right Bank, producing ripe, approachable wines with good freshness. Expect dark cherry, toasty oak, and a silky texture. Drink over the next 3 to 6 years.
Saint-Émilion Vintages: A Practical Guide
Vintage quality in Saint-Émilion can differ from the Left Bank, given the different grape varieties and soil types. Merlot is more susceptible to heat stress than Cabernet Sauvignon, so very hot years can sometimes be less successful on the Right Bank than on the Left. That said, recent decades have produced a string of outstanding vintages.
2023 — Warm summer with good freshness. Right Bank performed well, with wines showing ripe fruit and approachable structure. Tempo d'Angélus 2023 is a good entry point for this vintage.
2020 — One of the finest vintages of the last two decades on the Right Bank. Warm, dry conditions, optimal ripeness, and fine tannins. Grand Mayne and La Grave Figeac from this year are serious wines with real aging potential. Buy now and hold.
2019 — Another excellent year. Richer, more opulent style than 2020. Great for drinking over the medium term.
2018 — A celebrated vintage across Bordeaux. Rich, generous, and age-worthy. If you find 2018 Saint-Émilion at a fair price, it is worth acquiring.
2016 — Classic, structured year. Excellent on the Right Bank. Wines are still developing and will continue to reward patience for another decade.
Saint-Émilion vs. Pomerol: What's the Difference?
Both appellations sit on the Right Bank and are Merlot-dominant, but they are distinct. Pomerol is smaller, unclassified, and tends to produce richer, more opulent wines with a distinctive iron and clay minerality (especially from the iron-rich soils around Pétrus). Saint-Émilion offers more variety: from the powerful, structured wines of the plateau and côtes to the rounder, fruitier wines of the plain.
In practical terms: if you want textbook Right Bank luxury and are willing to spend, Pomerol is the benchmark. If you want more variety, a classification system to navigate, and better value options at multiple price points, Saint-Émilion delivers.
Buying Saint-Émilion in Miami: Our Approach
At 305 Wines, we select Saint-Émilion with a focus on terroir, producer track record, and vintage appropriateness. We carry wines from classified and non-classified estates, across multiple price points, and we stock current drinking vintages alongside wines worth holding.
Every bottle in our Bordeaux section has been personally selected. As someone who has studied this region at the highest levels — WSET Diploma, and currently in the Master of Wine program — I evaluate these wines with the same rigor I bring to our education programming at Florida Wine Academy. You're not buying a random shelf selection. You're getting a curated choice made by someone who knows this region deeply.
Browse our full Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux selection online, or visit us at 8233 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint-Émilion
Is Saint-Émilion better than Pomerol?
Neither is objectively better — they offer different experiences. Saint-Émilion has more stylistic range and better value options at lower price points. Pomerol is smaller, more consistent in style, and its top wines are among the most expensive in the world. Both are worth exploring.
What does Saint-Émilion Grand Cru mean?
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is the entry-level designation of the Saint-Émilion hierarchy — not to be confused with Grand Cru Classé (classified) or Premier Grand Cru Classé (top classified). Grand Cru wines must meet minimum production standards beyond the basic Saint-Émilion AOC. The category is large and quality varies, which is why producer selection matters.
How long does Saint-Émilion age?
Good Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé can age for 10 to 20 years. Premier Grand Cru Classé wines from great vintages (2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020) can age for 30 years or more. Entry-level and second/third label wines are typically best within 5 to 8 years of the vintage.
What food pairs with Saint-Émilion?
Saint-Émilion's Merlot-dominant character makes it versatile at the table. Classic pairings include duck confit, lamb, beef filet, mushroom risotto, and aged hard cheeses. The rounder tannins and softer structure compared to Left Bank wines make it more food-friendly across a wider range of dishes.
Alessandra Esteves is the founder of 305 Wines and Florida Wine Academy. She holds the WSET Diploma, FWS, SWS, and CSW, and is currently a Master of Wine candidate. She curates the 305 Wines selection and leads wine education programming in Miami, Florida.