One of the most popular wine regions in Bordeaux to visit is the Medoc. This famous part of the left bank, known for bold reds (and as of 2026, whites!) with a majority of cabernet sauvignon, aged in oak, and which can hold for decades. I rarely make it up to the Medoc, being that Bazas is so far from this part of Bordeaux. So, I asked my friend and sommelier / wine tour guide Malgosia of Private Wine Tours Bordeaux to share her insights! If you would like a tour with her, please check for her contact information at the end of this post.
Located in “the middle of waters” (“in-medio aquae” in Latin) on the left bank of the Bordeaux wine region in the estuary of the Gironde river lies the Médoc. The place of the famous 1855 wine classification, known to every wine connoisseur is the home of many famous and the most beautiful chateaux. Think of Chateau Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, Lafitte-Rothschild, Latour, Pichon Baron, Lynch Bages, Gruaud Larose and many many more. Its flat terrain is rich with gravel soils, perfect for great quality Cabernet Sauvignon reigning proudly in that area. Its 8 appellations are stretched on some 80 km along the Garonne and Gironde rivers. Visiting this region you often drive on the famous Route of the Chateaux where you can enjoy many beautiful estates located nearby among 15000 ha of vines.
But except for the 60 classified chateaus, there are many other estates worth visiting (some 600 in total).
CRUS BOURGEOIS
Not too many wine lovers know about Cru Bourgeois – another classification of the Médoc wines which has gone through several transformations since its official establishment in 1932. There are 250 chateaus nowadays classified as “Cru Bourgeois” and have been undergoing revisions every 5 years since 2020. Different criterias taken into account can be summarized into 3 main categories:
*the quality of the wine (tested through blind tasting)
*the consistency of wines (judged according to the aging potential of the vintages)
*respect for the environment (attested by the High Environmental Value -HVE, certification of the selected estates
According to these criterias, we can distinguish three hierarchical levels of the classification:
Cru Bourgeois
Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
Just to mention a few estates: Chateau le Crock, Chateau Lamothe-Bergeron, Chateau Paloumey, Chateau du Moulin Rouge or Chateau Malescasse.
CRUS ARTISANS
And the final main category of the Medoc wines worth mentioning, existing here for 150 years, is “Crus Artisans”. This designation notably referred to properties that had other activities alongside winemaking (livestock farmers, bakers, cereal growers, etc.) and is reserved today for about 40 properties. A Cru Artisan therefore testifies to a certain authenticity. The producers of Crus Artisans, who run relatively modest family estates (averaging eight hectares of vines), sell directly to consumers. They are directly responsible for the quality of their wines and for warm welcome they extend to visitors who are guaranteed to meet the winemaker.
PLACES TO EAT IN THE MEDOC
The peninsula of the Medoc is practically one big countryside with many villages and small towns spread here and there. There’s not a big choice of restaurants along the route of the Chateaux but travelers won’t be disappointed with the quality of food they offer.
Retro-style Café Lavinal – a warm and friendly bistro run by the Cazes family (not obscure to wine connoisseurs) in the tiny picturesque village of Bages in the heart of Pauillac appellation / Café Lavinal | Restaurant gastronomique Pauillac | Relais & Châteaux
Chez Mémé bistro, run by friendly Didier, with checkered tablecloths and charming vintage decor and old photographs; everything is homemade, from appetizers to desserts / Bistrot Chez Mémé – Toutes les saveurs du bistrot authentique – Restaurants à Saint-Julien-Beychevelle – Guide Bordeaux Gironde
High-end dining, the Médoc won’t let you down either: “Restaurant le Saint Julien”, just steps away from Chateau Léoville Poyferré with the traditional cuisine offered by chef Claude Broussard / (9) Facebook
Restaurant “Au Marquis de Terme” in Margaux – a meeting between the Médoc terroir and seafood cuisine by chef Grégory Coutanceau / Restaurant – [Au] Marquis de Terme par Grégory Coutanceau – Margaux
“Très” chic and poche restaurant of “La Maison d’Estournel” with classic, seasonal cuisine, modernized for greater lightness and simplicity.
Several chateaus in the Médoc also offer picnic-style lunch breaks which are highly appreciated by visitors especially on warm sunny days when they can enjoy delicious local produce meticulously selected and paired with chateau wines by the estates in the peaceful scenery, surrounded by endless vineyards. What more would you ask for?
TRANSPORATION
Although there are several train stations along the Médoc peninsula, visiting several chateaus on a day can be complicated using this means of transportation; you might experience miles of walking. Taxis are another option, but much more expensive, if you travel from Bordeaux and want to hire a driver for a day. It’s quite complicated to get a car service in the Medoc itself, like e.g. for people traveling on cruise ships that dock in the ports of the Medoc. You can also rent a car BUT then one of you (the driver) won’t enjoy all the wine tastings!
The best and most convenient option for wine lovers is to book a tour with a licensed wine guide who also offers transportation, like Private Wine Tours Bordeaux.
Private Wine Tours Bordeaux / Facebook / Malgosia BALABAN / malgorzatabalaban@gmail.com / ++33785080925
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