Left Bank: The Triumph of Terroir

The Médoc: Cabernet's Kingdom

North of Bordeaux city, the Médoc peninsula stretches toward the Atlantic. Poor soils make great wine here—gravelly mounds called croupes provide perfect drainage for Cabernet Sauvignon, which needs to struggle to achieve greatness.

Pauillac (poy-YAC): The archetype of Left Bank power - Home to three first growths: Lafite, Latour, and Mouton - Intense cassis and cedar, with decades-long aging potential - But also home to excellent cooperatives producing affordable wines - Try: Château Pibran (€30-40) for classic style without breaking the bank

Saint-Estèphe (san-tess-TEFF): The sturdy northern neighbor - More clay means more Merlot in the blends - Tannic, austere wines that need time - Value seekers' paradise with many overperforming châteaux - Try: Château Meyney (€25-35) for consistent quality

Saint-Julien (san-zhoo-lee-AN): The harmonious middle child - Balance between Pauillac power and Margaux elegance - No first growths but consistently excellent seconds - Home to Léoville-Las Cases, the "super second" - Try: Château Gloria (€35-45), assembled from classified growth parcels

Margaux (mar-GO): The elegant southern beauty - Perfumed, graceful wines with silky tannins - Largest appellation with most variable quality - Château Margaux sets the standard for finesse - Try: Château d'Angludet (€30-40), same ownership as the famous Château Palmer

Graves: History and Innovation

South of Bordeaux city, Graves (meaning gravel) is the region's birthplace. Here, red and white wines coexist, and history meets cutting-edge winemaking.

Pessac-Léognan: Bordeaux's intellectual heart - Château Haut-Brion, the only first growth outside Médoc - Exceptional white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon - University of Bordeaux's viticulture program brings innovation - Try: Château Pape Clément (€50-80) for history in a glass—papal property since 1300