East bank vs west bank bordeaux?

The very simple answer is that the Left Bank and Right Bank are two Bordeaux winemaking regions separated by an estuary and two rivers.

Situated on the west coast of France, Bordeaux is split in two by the Gironde Estuary, which divides into the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. When looking at a map of the region, the area to the north and right of the Gironde is the Right Bank and the areas below and to the left constitute the Left Bank.

More specifically, the Right Bank is the area to the north of the Dordogne river and the Left Bank is the area directly south of the Garonne River, both of which feed into the Gironde estuary that meets the Atlantic Ocean.

The joining of these three forms a shape like an upside down ‘Y’ with the two banks on either side and the area in between known as the ‘Entre-deux-Mers’.

The Left Bank encompasses the Médoc wine region north of Bordeaux. Its four best-known appellations – from north to south – are St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien and Margaux.

It also encompasses Haut-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc and Moulis-en-Médoc appellations. South of Bordeaux, the Left Bank includes Pessac-Léognan and Graves, plus Sauternes and Barsac sweet wines.

The Right Bank’s most famous appellations are Pomerol and St-Emilion, the latter of which has four ‘satellite’ appellations. These are Montagne-, Lussac-, Puisseguin- and St-Georges St-Emilion.

However, the Right Bank also encompasses Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Bourg, Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux.

River dissections aside, there are several important distinctions between the banks, most notably the dominance of specific red grape varieties.

While all of the Left Bank wines are usually blends, Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant force here. Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc tend to play supporting roles.

As ever in the wine world, there are exceptions. Château Clarke in Listrac-Médoc, for example, considers its soils more suited to Merlot in general. Its 2018 grand vin is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The terroir is mostly flat with gravel topsoil and limestone underneath, although the composition can vary substantially from one vineyard to the next.

Wines typically have more tannin and a bigger overall structure than their Right Bank counterparts. Pauillac, in particular, has a reputation for producing powerful, muscular wines.

Right Bank wines are predominantly Merlot-based, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot used as blending components. Some estates have sought to increase their use of Cabernet Franc in recent years, for its ability to deliver freshness in the glass.

The terroir is comprised of a limestone surface with less gravel and more clay. It’s mostly flat with smaller vineyard plots than on the Left Bank, most notably in Pomerol. Estates manage an average holding of five hectares in size, while some Left Bank estates are more than 100ha.

The wines tend to be rich in fruit, softer in mouthfeel with less tannin and acid. While some top wines can be aged for many years, there are plenty of wines that are also enjoyable when young.

In early 2021, France’s national appellation body, INAO approved the use of six new grape varieties in Bordeaux, as part of efforts to combat climate change. However, not all appellations are able to use them, and they will most likely be used in AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur, Entre-deux-Mers and the Côtes de Bordeaux wines.

Top Left and Right Bank Bordeaux châteaux can produce extremely long-lived wines, particularly in the right vintage conditions.

You may sometimes hear critics speak of a ‘Right Bank’ or ‘Left Bank’ vintage, depending upon whether conditions have favoured later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which tends to ripen earlier.

However, the situation is often more complex, and can depend upon many variables, from soil types to cellar management. Plus, weather does not always neatly divide itself between the two banks.

There are several classification systems at play.

With close to 125,000 hectares of vineyards and as many as 60 separate appellations, Bordeaux is one of the most highly classified wine regions in the region.

We can’t do justice to the whole system here. But, alongside the appellation map, the Left Bank is home to the official 1855 Classification of the Médoc.

It’s a five-tier hierarchy, led by the five ‘first growths’ of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion and Château Mouton Rothschild.

Haut-Brion was included in the original 1855 list, drawn up for Emperor Napoleon III, even though it sits in Graves. Mouton was promoted to the top tier in 1973.

There are then second, third, fourth and fifth growth estates.

Further south, Sauternes producers also got a classification system in 1855, devised alongside the one in Médoc as part of celebrations around the Exposition Universelle de Paris that year. Producers were split into first and second growths – or Premiers and Deuxièmes crus classés – but Château d’Yquem was given special dispensation as a ‘Premier Cru Supérieur’.

The Left Bank is also home to the Cru Bourgeois classification, which was recently relaunched as a three-tier system. A classification for dry red and white Graves wines was devised in 1953 and finalised in 1959. It includes 16 cru classé estates, all of which sit inside the Pessac-Léognan appellation today.

On the Right Bank, you’ll find the St-Emilion Classification, first introduced in 1955.

Unlike the 1855 Classifications, this ranking is frequently reviewed, currently every 10 years. The most recent ranking was released in 2012, although it has been followed by several years of legal disputes. The next one is due in 2022.

In the 2012 list, 82 estates were divided into 64 Grand Cru Classé estates and 18 Premier Grand Cru Classé properties – themselves separated into ‘A’ and ‘B’ rankings. Château Angélus and Château Pavie joined Ausone and Cheval Blanc as Premier Grand Cru Classé A estates in 2012.

Beyond this, you will also see bottle labels stating ‘St-Emilion Grand Cru’, which is an appellation.

Originally published in April 2020 and update in April 2021.

But first, a bit about the region in general: Bordeaux is located on the western coast of France and is divided by the Gironde Estuary, which further separates into the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The viticultural areas separated by the Gironde are referred to as the Left and Right Banks. The more southerly area between these two regions is known as Entre-Deux-Mers, which translates to Between Two Seas.

The most defining difference between Left Bank and Right Banks wines is their assemblage. While Left Bank wines are generally Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, Right Bank wines are dominated by Merlot. Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec tend to round out blends from both Banks. (Note: As with any wine-producing region, there are always exceptions to be found, but this is by and far the majority.)

The reason for the dominant grape varieties being different on both Banks is soil type. While the Left Bank is characterized by gravelly soils, the Right Bank is home to more clay-heavy soils. The former creates a solid home for Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas the latter is an optimal environment in which Merlot thrives.

Due to the difference in dominant grape varieties, wine styles greatly differ from the Left Bank and Right Bank. The Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends from the Left Bank tend to be more structured, powerful, and have a higher presence of tannins, whereas Merlot-dominant blends of the Right Bank tend to be more soft, silky, and approachable in their youth. Fun fact: Left Bank properties also tend to be larger in size than Right Bank estates.

Most famously, the Left Bank of Bordeaux is home to the Médoc area, which encompasses four of the region’s most prestigious appellations: Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux. The Left Bank is also home to the Haut-Médoc, Listrac-Médoc, and Moulis-en-Médoc, as well as the areas of Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Sauternes, and Barsac.

The Right Bank’s most famous appellations are Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, though its sub-regions span far beyond these two gems. The Right Bank also encompasses Canson-Fronsac, Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Bourg, Côtes de Bordeaux, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, and Fronsac.

Perhaps the most complicated difference between the Left and Right Banks is their classification systems. The region’s most famous classification is the 1855 Classification, which was created by Napoleon III and determined the five First Growth estates of Bordeaux (all of which are found on the Left Bank). Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth growth estates followed. Sauternes also received a classification system the same year. The Left Bank also uses the Cru Bourgeois system, which is exclusively used in the Médoc. Over on the Right Bank, Saint-Emilion began using an eponymous classification system back in 1955.

The Left Bank’s biggest claims to fame are undeniably its prestigious five First Growths, which include Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Lafite, and Château Mouton Rothschild. The Right Bank’s biggest names, which are classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé A estates are Château Cheval Blanc, Château Angélus, and Château Pavie. Pétrus is also a big-hitting Right Bank name, located in the appellation of Pomerol.

Bordeaux’s winemaking land tends to be separated into three large areas in relation to the Garonne and Dordogne rivers: the right bank, the left bank, and the ‘Entre-deux-Mers’. The latter being reputed more for its dry whites and sweet wines, it won’t appear this time. A match, then, between the left and right banks, where we have a look at the differences in their soil, grape varietals, landscapes, and wine styles.

The landscape of Bordeaux is built around the Gironde estuary in the north and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers in the south. The region can thus be separated into three main areas: the left bank, south of the Garonne, the right bank north of the Dordogne, and the ‘Entre-deux-Mers’ between the two. Since the latter doesn’t really fit into the classic profile of Bordeaux’s production – red cellaring wines made from a blend of varietals – it is considered another world from a wine point of view. So what are the specificities of these sub-regions?

Earth and climate

The left bank is comprised of three prestigious sub-regions: the Médoc, Graves, and Sauternes. The soils of the Médoc and Graves are varied and essentially made up of gravelly earth. An oceanic climate nurtures the vines, bringing warm summers and mild winters. We also find a certain amount of clay, sand, and limestone here, with a few areas blending clay with chalk.

The reds of the left bank

The main grape varietal grown on the left bank is Cabernet Sauvignon, which brings tannins, strength, acidity, colour, and black fruit aromas to the wine. Merlot is also grown, a more delicate grape that confers a certain softness to the blend with its lovely aromatics and more gentle tannins. Cabernet franc and Petit Verdot can also be found on the left bank. In the Médoc and Graves sub-regions, Cabernet sauvignon is the main varietal by far, topped up by Merlot, then potentially including small doses of Petit Verdot and Cabernet franc. These wines are apt for aging, tannic and powerful, with a complexity to their aroma. As they age, they become more refined, developing a more delicate character. The wines of the Médoc and Graves have excellent cellaring potential, ranging from 5 to 30 years depending on the cuvée and the vintage.

The whites of the left bank

The left bank is home to a precious gem of the white wine world: the Sauternais. This is a vignoble with a personality of its own thanks to its proximity to the Ciron, a stream that creates a microclimate favourable to the growth of botrytis, a fungus that allows noble rot to develop on the grape and make sweet wine. Only dessert wines fit into the Sauternes appellation criteria. Three varietals are grown here, Sémillon (the majority grape), Sauvignon blanc, and Muscadelle (often incorporated in minimal amounts). Liquid gold in a bottle, these wines are aromatically complex, carrying notes of candied and dried fruit, honey, spices, and flowers, and they have incredible aging capacity; exceptional cuvées can be kept in the cellar for up to 100 years! Dry white wines are also produced in Graves and Pessac-Léognan, fruity cuvées to which the Sauvignon brings citrus notes and a fine acidity. These wines evolve to develop a slightly rounder texture on the palate.

The renown of crowning classifications

The wines of the left bank enjoy the recognition of the finest Bordeaux classification: the famous 1855 ranking. This list was decreed by Napoleon III for the Paris Exhibition, and domains were chosen according to criteria of notoriety, beauty, and price. This only concerned châteaux on the left bank of the Garonne (essentially Médoc and Sauternes, with a single Pessac-Léognan, Château Haut-Brion. This is a classification that still stands today, with only two changes made since its 1855 release. There is also a classification for the dessert wines of Sauternes and Barsac, in which the only ‘premier cru supérieur’ is the famous Château Yquem.

The domains on the left bank tend to be much bigger than those on the right (often around 100 hectares compared to an average of under 10 for the right), and a considerable number of these properties now belong to groups and investors. Of course, the more hectares of vineyard, the more wine produced, thus left bank wines tend to be less ‘rare’ than their right-hand counterparts. The stars south of the Garonne include Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Cos d’Estournel, Château Haut-Brion, Château Yquem,a nd Château Climens.

Earth and climate

Now to the right bank which is north of the Dordogne river and comprises such winemaking areas as the Libournais (to the east), the Bourgeais (Bourg and Côte-de-Bourg) and the Blayais (Blaye and Côte-de-Blaye). The Libournais is undoubtedly the best-reputed area due to the various red AOC appellations held within its borders. These include Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion grand cru, Pomerol, Lalande de Pomerol, and Fronsac. The Bourgeais and Blayais areas produce more dry whites (fruity cuvées made from Sauvignon, Sémillon, and Muscadelle) as well as red wines. In these different zones, the soil is largely clay-rich, though also incorporates chalk, sand, and some gravel. The Libournais is a beautifully hilly and varied landscape. The climate there is temperate, allowing the Merlot grapes to mature nicely, this being a varietal that thrives best when planted in cool and humid soil.

Reds of the right bank

In Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, Merlot is almost exclusive in the wine crafted. It can be accompanied by Cabernet franc (bringing balance with its notes of red fruit), and Cabernet sauvignon (for body and strength). Certain other varietals can be found in very small amounts, such as Petit Verdot, Malbec, or Carménère. These are supple and fruity wines with gentle tannins. Whilst these, too, are wines to be aged, they are often accessible sooner than their neighbours on the left bank.

There is a big difference between wines from the Right Bank and Left Bank, or should I say, there are several important distinctions between Bordeaux wines from the Left Bank and Bordeaux from the Right Bank. The terroir and soil are different. The percentages of grapes planted are not the same.

The culture of each region differs and because each area has its own unique style and character, as you might expect, the wines are quite different as well. The wines from each area taste, smell, feel and age differently. And that is just to get things started. So, as you can see, there are very important differences between wines from the Left Bank of Bordeaux, when compared with wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux.

For more on Bordeaux, especially if you’re new to the wines of the region, you should read Bordeaux 101, Everything a Beginner needs to know about Bordeaux

But for now, let’s start with the wines, vineyards and chateau located in the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

The Left Bank consists of wines from the following major appellations; Margaux St. Julien Pauillac St. Estephe, Haut Medoc and Pessac Leognan appellations. In total, in the Left Bank of Bordeaux, the best wines come from eight different appellations or communes located primarily in what is often referred to as the Medoc. The Left Bank of Bordeaux is the home to all of the official 1855 Classified Bordeaux wines.

The Medoc also includes the Haut Medoc, Moulis, Medoc and Listrac appellations. In total, there are 13,727 hectares planted with vines in the Medoc. Looking on a map, the Medoc starts just north of the city of Bordeaux and extends north, past St. Estephe to the Le Verdon port. However, many people also consider the Left Bank to include the wines of Pessac Leognan, which adds an additional 1,199 hectares under vine bring the total amount of hectares under vine to 14,926!

The Left Bank is where you will find all the First Growth Bordeaux, as well as all the other 1855 Classified Bordeaux wines of the Medoc including the Second Growths, Third Growths, Fourth Growths and Fifth Growths. In the Left Bank of Bordeaux, more than 200 chateaux can be found that are classified as Cru Bourgeois.

The Left Bank is also the home of all the Cru Bourgeois estates. While most of the Cru Bourgeois are located in Haut Medoc, others are situated all over the area from as far north as slightly above St. Estephe to below Margaux in the south as well. You can also find more than 40 chateaux classed as Artisan Crus, cooperatives and a countless array of small, unknown growers in the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

While all the wines from the Left Bank of Bordeaux are blends, in the Medoc, Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. To a lesser degree, Petit Verdot, Malbec and small amounts of Carmenere are also planted in the Left Bank of Bordeaux. While the vast majority of wines produced in the Medoc are red Bordeaux wine, there are a few producers that also make white Bordeaux wine, most notably Chateau Margaux.

However, the best white Bordeaux wines are produced in the Pessac Leognan appellation. With the exception of Chateau Haut Brion, all the chateaux that earned their place in the 1855 Classification are located in the Medoc, which is the heart and soul of the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

Aside from the grapes and the styles of the wines found in the Left Bank of Bordeaux, when it comes to culture, the biggest difference between chateaux in the Right Bank, vs. chateaux in the Left Bank is the famous, 1855 Classification. The classification included 61 different chateaux, ranking them in order from First Growth, Second Growth, Third Growth, Fourth Growth and Fifth Growth.

When the classification of 1855 was initially created, it was not intended to be a fixed document that would continue for centuries. But that is exactly what happened.

The classification of the Medoc took place in 1855. Chateau included in the classification all came from the top appellations in the Left Bank, Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac, Saint Estephe and of course Chateau Haut Brion, from Pessac Leognan. The first classification of Left Bank Bordeaux producers classed as Cru Bourgeois took place in 1932. Pessac Leognan has its own classification, which was finalized in 1959.

While there are vintages that clearly favor Left bank Bordeaux wines. It is not that simple. For example, there are years when St. Estephe performs great, while other appellations have difficulties, which is what happened in 2003. With that in mind, and knowing these are very general tips on the best years for Left Bank wines, you should look for 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1985, 1982, 1978, 1970, 1966, 1961, 1959, 1955, 1953, 1949, 1948 and 1945.

For more detailed information on all the best Bordeaux vintages and harvest conditions from 1900 to today Bordeaux Vintage Information

The wines, vineyards and chateau from Right Bank of Bordeaux

While Pomerol and Saint Emilion together have roughly 6,369 hectares planted with grape vines, the entire area known as the Right Bank is much larger and more diverse, when you consider the important, satellite appellations.

On this page, you can read about all the different soils and terroirs, found in the Right Bank. We cover the famous clay soils of Pomerol and the limestone based vineyards found in many of the best St. Emilion terroirs.

You can also find information on the gravel and sand terroirs located close to the Dordogne river found in the Right Bank of Bordeaux. There is a detailed analysis of the character and style found in the multitude of wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux.

We also cover the main grape varieties grown in the Right Bank. While all Bordeaux wines are blends, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the dominant grape varieties, in the Right Bank. Although you will find some growers also plant Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot as well. This unique combination of soil types and grape varieties are a large part of what has helped make the wines from Right Bank of Bordeaux so famous, as well as sought after all over the world.

This includes the best Right Bank Bordeaux wine producers from the most important Bordeaux wine producing appellations of the Right Bank: Pomerol and Saint Emilion. We also cover the best Value Bordeaux wine producers and the top chateaux located in best regions known for producing Bordeaux value wine, Bordeaux Superieur, Cotes de Bordeaux, Cotes de Castillon, Cotes de Francs, Fronsac Canon Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol, and the various St. Emilion Satellite Appellations, Montagne St. Georges St. Emilion, Lussac St. Emilion and Pusseguin St. Emilion and the Cotes de Bourg.

There are vintages that are definitely better for Right Bank Bordeaux wines than those in the Left Bank, it is not that simple. For example, there are years when Pomerol is much better than St. Emilion.

Keeping that in mind, and knowing these are very general tips on the best years for Right Bank Bordeaux wines, you should look for 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1990, 1989, 1985, 1982, 1970, 1964 and 1961. For more detailed information on all the best Bordeaux vintages and harvest conditions from 1900 to today Bordeaux Vintage Information

The Right Bank looks and feels differently than the Left Bank starting with the vineyards and the majority of the actual chateaux that are in the region. In the Left Bank, you find numerous large, if not massive estates and vineyards that can be over 100 hectares in size.

That is not the case with Right Bank vineyards, which are often closer to an average of 5 hectares in size. There are a few, stunning, massive, architecturally, stunning chateau in the Right Bank, but generally speaking, you find more family homes and smaller, classic chateaux here.