Saint-Estephe is the northernmost of the named communes of the Haut-Medoc, on the Left Bank of the Gironde river. There are five Cru Classes in the commune, headed by the Second Growths, Cos d'Estournel and Montrose. In addition, there are a large number of Cru Bourgeois or other unrated wines that enjoy sparkling reputations, including Phelan Segur, Les Ormes de Pez, and Haut-Marbuzet.

Soils in the commune contain rather more clay than in the others and this, in conjunction with its more northerly location, contributes to the reputation of producing more tannic and tightly wound wines than those produced further south. Vineyard sites are a little more varied and scattered than in the other communes and this often leads to greater variability within the wines of Saint-Estephe. (Wine/Appellations)