Bordeaux

Communal appellation named after the two most important towns, it is the northern part of the Graves region in Bordeaux in France, and has a total vineyard area of 1.300 hectares. It includes the communes of Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Léognan, Martillac, Mérignac, Pessac, Saint-Médard-d´Eyrans, Talence and Villeneuve-d´Ornon. The region was known as Haut Graves until it was classified as an own appellation in 1987, mainly due to the efforts of André Lurton. In medieval times, Clairet was produced in the area around the town of Pessac. The dry white wines are made from Sauvigon Blanc and Sémillon, they are generally fermented and matured in oak, and are among the best in Bordeaux. The red wines are blends made primarily from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. However, the shares of the various varieties vary significantly from one estate to the next. 16 chateaus were classified as „Cru Classé“ in 1959, they are Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Couhins, Château Couhins-Lurton, Château de Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Haut-Brion (Premier Cru Classé), Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château La Tour-Haut-Brion, Château La Tour-Martillac, Château Laville-Haut-Brion, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Pape-Clément, Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte and Domaine de Chevalier.