Saint-Estèphe is a true "terroir" wine. The influence of the soil, gravels as usual and more clays than in Médoc, can be experienced when tasting a Saint-Estèphe wine. Although Pauillac is just close-by, Saint-Estèphe wines are different. Saint-Estèphe wines are very coloured, earthy, firm, robust and tannic. They reach their maturity slower than other Médoc wines. Saint-Estèphe hosts 5 Grands Crus Classés (great growths) such as Château Montrose and Château Cos d'Estournel.