There are major differences between Médoc vs. Haut-Médoc, both in terms of wine flavor and market value. Photo Credit: Flickr CC user Kevin Galens
Wine drinkers often get confused when they shop for Left Bank Bordeaux, especially if they don’t have a lot of experience reading wine labels from this region. Even some experienced wine enthusiasts aren’t sure exactly what differentiates Médoc vs. Haut-Médoc wines. Some bottles are labeled “Appellation Médoc Contrôlée” (AOC) or have the word “Médoc” in large letters. Other bottles are labeled just “Haut-Médoc.” This guide will help make sense of the incredible wines made in both the Médoc and the Haut-Médoc AOCs, providing all of the information you need to find the best bottles from each region.
The Difference Between Médoc and Haut-Médoc
Understanding the relationship between the Médoc and Haut-Médoc can be tricky. That’s because the term “Médoc” actually has two meanings. It may refer to a large geographical area in Bordeaux’s Left Bank or a smaller AOC located within the Médoc area. It’s common for beginners and wine experts to confuse these definitions when they talk about the Médoc.
The Médoc AOC is diverse in climate and terroir, and as such the wines vary in flavor and value.
To demystify these terms, we’ve broken them down below:
The Médoc geographical area is a large section of Bordeaux that includes the majority (though not all) of the Left Bank. It’s a general term used to describe wines made in many Left Bank appellations, including Saint-Éstephe, Saint-Julien, Margaux, and Pauillac (the area does not include Graves). You’ll hear Médoc used this way when someone is talking about this part of the Left Bank overall. For example, when Master of Wine Jancis Robinson says Médoc is “home to most of Bordeaux’s famous large estates, most of which have built up their international reputations for the last two centuries,” she is talking about the region as a whole, not just the Médoc AOC.
The Médoc AOC is located within the larger Médoc geographical area. Although it’s much smaller than the geographical region, it’s still one of the largest AOCs in the Left Bank. Within this AOC, there are a number of smaller communes. The Médoc AOC is diverse in climate and terroir, and as such the wines vary in flavor and value.
The Haut-Médoc AOC is also located within the larger Médoc geographical area. Because people often confuse the Médoc and Médoc AOC, many mistakenly believe that the Haut-Médoc is located within the Médoc AOC. In fact, they are two completely separate AOCs that occupy different areas of the Left Bank. The Haut-Médoc AOC is quite large and spread out across Bordeaux. As in the Médoc AOC, there are many smaller communes within the Haut-Médoc.
You’ll see some similarities when comparing the Médoc vs. Haut-Médoc AOCs, but they’re by no means the same region. A wide range of terroirs and wine styles are made in these two appellations; we’ll discuss these in greater detail below.
Comparing Médoc vs. Haut-Médoc Wines
Many wine enthusiasts want to know which one of these two appellations makes the best wines. Generally speaking, most serious wine collectors seek out wines from the Haut-Médoc because these are more valuable and age-worthy than wines from the Médoc AOC, though wines from the Médoc AOC can also be pleasurable to drink. Here’s what to expect from each appellation:
- The Médoc AOC is primarily known for its easy-drinking red blends made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère. They’re not especially high in acidity and are usually approachable while they’re young. The vast majority of these wines are not worth cellaring and have very little resale value on the secondary market. There are, however, some exceptions. Producers like Château La Cardonne in this region are striving to make higher-quality wines, so you may see more collectible bottles from the Médoc AOC in the future.
- The Haut-Médoc AOC is one of the most iconic wine regions in the world, not just in Bordeaux. As in the Médoc AOC, the blends here are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère. Wines from the Haut-Médoc vary in flavor depending on the sub-appellation, but they are generally tannic, high in alcohol, and have moderate acidity. They also have great complexity of flavor that increases with age. One big difference between the Médoc and Haut-Médoc is that the Haut-Médoc covers a much larger area of Bordeaux and as such has a greater diversity of terroir. Saint-Éstephe, Saint-Julien, Margaux, and Pauillac are particularly notable for their favorable climates and terroir and are home to iconic producers like Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Palmer. Wines from these sub-appellations can age for decades and increase significantly in market value over time.
You can typically expect to pay much more for Haut-Médoc wines upfront.
So, which wines should you invest in? If you’re looking for an easy-drinking red Bordeaux blend, then wines from the Médoc AOC offer excellent quality for the price. You likely won’t be able to resell these bottles for a profit, but they’re wonderful wines to serve at a dinner party. If you’re looking for collectible wines or you want a bottle of Bordeaux to lay down for several decades, then wine from a Haut-Médoc AOC producer like Jean Gautreau is a better choice. You can typically expect to pay much more for Haut-Médoc wines upfront, as they have more prestige among serious collectors and therefore higher market prices.
Whether they’re from the Haut-Médoc or not, wines from the Médoc geographical region are some of the most captivating wines on the planet. Exploring offerings from both the Médoc and the Haut-Médoc AOCs will make it clear just how much diversity there is in this region and why so many wine enthusiasts praise the producers here.
Whether you are starting your high-end wine collection or adding to an established portfolio, Vinfolio is your partner in buying, selling, and professional storage. Contact us today to get access to the world’s finest wine.
