The Right Bank

Question 1

What color wines may be made in the AOC’s of the “Right Bank”?

How many AOC’s are there in total? (exclude Bourg/Blaye)

Answer 1

All wines are red, except 1, CdBdx Francs makes red and white.

12 AOC. St-Em & St-Em G.C., plus the 4 satellites. Pomerol and Lalande, Fronsac and Canon-Fron, Cotes de Bdx-Francs, Cotes de Bdx-Castillon

Question 2

Describe the climate of the Right Bank compared to the Left.

Answer 2

Wider temperature swings because its further from the ocean, thus more prone to frost in Spring and Fall.

Question 3

What soil types are most prevalent on the Right Bank?

Answer 3

Pomerol is known for its cool blue clay (Petrus), while Saint Emilion is known for its Calcareous Limestone plateau. Small patches of gravel are found here and there, the perimeter of St. Em. has gravel where Figeac and Cheval Blanc are. Pomerol has some gravel deposits at mid elevations that are iron rich.

Question 4

What is the iron rich gravel/clay soil mixture in Pomerol known as?

Answer 4

Crasse de Fer

Question 5

A typical Right Bank blend is what percentages of which 2 grapes?

Answer 5

About 70-30 Merlot to Cab Franc.

Question 6

Reclassified in 2022, what St Emilion estates carry the Premier Grand Cru Classe A title?

How many B’s are there?

Answer 6

Cht Figeac and Cht Pavie

12

Question 7

Name the 12 Classe B estates in St Emilion.

Answer 7

Beausejour, Beau Sejour Becot
Canon, Canon La Gaffeliere
Belair-Monange, Larcis-Ducasse, Pavie-Macquin, Troplong Mondot
Valandraud, Clos Fourtet, La Mondotte
Trotte Vieille

Question 8

What city here (on the right bank) was the major port for English trade? On what 2 rivers does it sit?

Answer 8

Libourne

Isle and Dordogne

Question 9

What is the smallest ‘village’ AOC of Bordeaux?

Answer 9

Pomerol

Question 10

Most years, Petrus is what percent Merlot?

Answer 10

100%

Question 11

What is the typical blend for Cheval Blanc?

Answer 11

55 Cab Franc, 40 Merlot, 5 Cab Sauv but vintage will cause variance.

Question 12

What Saint Emilion Sub Region is Figeac and Cheval Blanc located?

Answer 12

Graves

Question 13

Name the 2 ‘garagiste’ chateau that started the movement in the right bank.

Answer 13

Chateau Le Pin followed by Valandraud

Question 14

How might I describe a garagiste wine from the right bank of Bordeaux?

Answer 14

Small production, produced away from the traditional Chateau from which the fruit came, perhaps in someone’s garage.

These wines are ‘counter-culture’ so in the case of Bordeaux, which is austere, high tannin, and requiring long cellaring, these new wines were richer and fruitier, typically higher ABV, and more approachable when young.

Question 15

What are the 4 satellite AOC of St Emilion?

Answer 15

Puisseguin, Montagne, St Georges, Lussac

Question 16

Other than Petrus, name 5 Pomerol producers of high quality.

Answer 16

Le Pin, Trotanoy, Lafleur,
Vieux Chateau Certan

L’Evangile, Clinet, Conseillante, Gazin

Question 17

On the Western banks of Isle and Dordogne rivers, I’ll find what two AOC’s?

Answer 17

Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac

Question 18

Terroir wise, how does Fronsac differ from the rest of the Right Bank?

Answer 18

More sandstone and limestone here rather than clay. Still mostly Merlot in the wines though.

Question 19

Name the 2nd label

Angelus

Ausone

Answer 19

Le Carillon d’Angelus

Chapelle d’Ausone

Question 20

Name the 2nd label

Cheval Blanc

Pavie

Answer 20

Le Petit Cheval

Aromes de Pavie

Question 21

Which estates abandoned the St Emilion classification system in 2022?

Answer 21

Angelus, Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Legaffeliere