sommplicityWine Education · Simplified
France

Left Bank

Left Bank is a wine region in France. An informal name for the Bordeaux vineyards west of the Garonne and Gironde, covering the Médoc and Graves, where red wines are commonly led by Cabernet Sauvignon, especially on gravel soils.

Where it is

Map data: INAO (Licence Ouverte 2.0); Natural Earth

Places in Left Bank

  • Graves

    Both red and dry white Bordeaux matter here, with Cabernet Sauvignon central to the reds and Sauvignon Blanc to the whites.

  • Margaux

    The largest of the Médoc's communal appellations, spread across gravelly soils and home to 21 growths in the 1855 classification.

  • Médoc

    Cabernet Sauvignon commonly leads the blend, producing structured reds with blackcurrant character and firm tannin.

  • Pessac-Léognan

    The gravelly northern part of Graves on the edge of Bordeaux city, making both red and white wine.

  • Saint-Julien

    A compact Médoc commune between Pauillac and Margaux, on gravel banks close to the river.

Explore

Classic styles

Grapes

Producers in Left Bank

  • Château Margaux

    A First Growth Margaux estate centered on Château Margaux, with Pavillon Rouge as its second wine and Pavillon Blanc as its white.

Test yourself

Reviewed by Gina Biernacki, Certified Sommelier, WSET Level 3 with Distinction.

Grapes Styles Regions Preview the App