The Libournais (The “Right Bank”)
Overview:
Some of the most prized Merlot based wines are produced in the area around the town of Libourne on the right bank of the Dordogne River. Because of its continental climate and soil composed of clay and limestone, Cabernet Sauvignon struggles here, so the wines are primarily Merlot with a high percentage of Cabernet Franc.
One of the the Libournais’ most celebrated areas, Saint-Émilion borders the Dordogne River about 80 miles east of the town of Bordeaux. The village of St-Émilion has remarkably remained nearly unchanged since the middle ages. While the left bank (Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Graves) classification of 1855 has seen only one change in its entire history, the classification of the chateaux of St-Emilion is reviewed about every 10 years. They were first classified in 1958 and placed in four categories: Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé (A and B), Saint-Émilion Premier Cru Classé, and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. However, there are only two appellations in the region: Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. Although the classification is unrelated, it is still very important. The most famous of the premiers grands crus classé wines is Château Cheval Blanc.
Bordering Saint-Émilion to the west and the town of Libourne to the north is Pomerol. The wines of Pomerol are soft and velvety blends of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The vineyards are planted in gravel with iron and clay. Its best producer, Château Pétrus, is consistently one of the Around the World in 80 Sips, from West to East 159 most expensive wines in the world, although Pomerol has no classification system.
With a more continental climate than the majority of the Bordeaux subregions, the Libournais is warmer with less of a maritime influence. As with the rest of Bordeaux, the Libournais area is relatively flat, although some hills exist near Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. The clay and limestone soil here is ideal for Merlot, the blends of which are smooth and fruity, gaining incredible complexity with age. Although the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, it does poorly in this area. Cabernet Franc often supports the Merlot in the red blends.
