The Prestigious Haut Medoc Wine Region: 10 Best Wines, Prices (2024)

The Haut Medoc appellation lies in the Bordeaux wine region in south-western France. 

With a diverse terroir, it is home to the renowned appellations of Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, and Saint Estephe and nearby vineyards (the wines of which are labeled Haut-Medoc AOC.)

The elegant red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are higher in quality and complexity than Medoc wines.  In this article, you’ll discover all about the Haut Medoc appellation - the best Haut Medoc wines, their investment potential, and how it differs from Medoc.

Interesting Facts About the Haut Medoc Wine Region 

Here’s all you need to know about the spectacular Haut Medoc region:

Where is the Haut Medoc appellation located?

The Haut Medoc appellation lies on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, in the Bordeaux wine region of southwestern France. 

What is the size of the Haut Medoc wine region?

Haut Medoc comprises over 4,000 hectares of vine plantings - two-thirds of the Medoc peninsula. About 400 chateaux operate these vineyard sites.

What does Haut Medoc wine taste like?

Haut Medoc wines are acidic with complex blackberry, licorice, and spice notes.

What is the annual production of Haut Medoc wine?

Haut Medoc produces over 2,000,000 cases of wine every year.

How are Haut Medoc wines classified?

5 Haut Medoc chateaux are included in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. They are:

• Château La Lagune (Third growth)
• Château La Tour Carnet (Fourth Growth)
• Château Belgrave (Fifth Growth)
• Château de Camensac (Fifth Growth)
• Château Cantemerle (Fifth Growth) 

The others are classified as Cru Bourgeois. 

What are the grape varieties used in Haut Medoc wine?

Haut Medoc wines primarily comprise Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varieties with small quantities of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carménère, and Cabernet Franc. A white Bordeaux wine (Bordeaux blanc) is also made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

What are Haut Medoc wine’s best serving temperature and food pairing ideas?

Serve your Haut Medoc wine at 60-63 °F with cheese, grilled meats, and a wide variety of seafood dishes. 

8 Best Haut Medoc Wine Bottles to Buy In 2024

Here are the top Haut Medoc wine bottles.

1. 1947 Chateau Belgrave
2. 1912 Chateau La Lagune
3. 1945 Chateau Cantemerle
4. 1968 Chateau Barateau
5. 1971 Chateau Sociando-Mallet
6. 1995 Sociando Mallet Cuvee Jean Gautreau
7. 2011 Chateau Victoria
8. 1982 Chateau Dillon

1. 1947 Chateau Belgrave, Haut-Medoc, France ($1,060)

This red wine bottle from the Belgrave estate has notes of red fruit, cassis, and juicy tannins. On the palate, this great wine has a licorice flavor. 

2. 1912 Chateau La Lagune, Haut-Medoc, France ($689)

This Bordeaux wine has blackcurrant, blackberry fruit, and tannin notes. The palate of this red wine offers a long finish. 

3. 1945 Chateau Cantemerle, Haut-Medoc, France ($560)

This great wine has notes of ripe fruit, mushroom, spice, and soft tannins. On the palate, this Bordeaux Médoc wine has a blackberry fruit flavor.

4. 1968 Chateau Barateau, Haut-Medoc, France ($404)

This fine wine has red fruit, licorice, and tannin notes. It’s a medium-bodied Bordeaux wine that offers a long finish. 

5. 1971 Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc, France ($257)

This medium-bodied French wine bottle has crisp acidity and notes of oak, red fruit, and juicy tannins.

6. 1995 Sociando Mallet Cuvee Jean Gautreau, Haut-Medoc, France ($160)

This Bordeaux Médoc wine has notes of ripe fruit, spice, and soft tannins. It’s a full-bodied red wine that offers a long finish on the palate.

7. 2011 Chateau Victoria, Haut-Medoc, France ($132)

This Bordeaux wine has a blackberry flavor, crisp acidity, and notes of tannin, cherry, oak, and blackcurrant.

8. 1982 Chateau Dillon, Haut-Medoc, France ($113)

This fine wine has notes of cassis, vanilla, oak, blackberry fruit, almond, and firm tannins. It’s a remarkable French wine with refreshing acidity and brilliant freshness. 

Investing In Haut Medoc Wines

Some of Haut Medoc’s red Bordeaux wines can age for up to 30 years - great for cellaring. 

They also show good price appreciation. For example, between 2020 and 2021, the 1945 Chateau Cantemerle wine grew by 64% - from $343 to $564.

As for auction results, a 12-bottle lot of the 1990 Chateau La Lagune was sold for $2,010 at a 2020 Sotheby auction.

If you’re keen on investing in Haut Medoc and other fine wine bottles, you need a reliable wine investment company like Vinovest that will help you buy, store, and sell investment-grade wine bottles with just a few clicks.

Now, let’s also take a look at what Haut Medoc’s terroir and vineyard sites look like.

The Terroir And Vineyards Of The Haut Medoc Region

The Haut Medoc appellation is home to about 21 prestigious communes (including Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint-Estèphe.)

The vineyard sites mainly comprise clay and gravel rich soils. The thick gravel layers are wThe Haut Medoc appellation is home to about 21 prestigious communes (including Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint-Estèphe.)arm, well-drained, and provide ideal growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, while the clay soil is good for growing Merlot.

The Gironde river also leaves deposits of rich soils - mostly limestone and sandier soils.

What Are The Differences Between Medoc And Haut Medoc?

Medoc and Haut Medoc are two appellations in Bordeaux. Here’s how Medoc AOC differs from Haut Medoc AOC:

1. The Haut Medoc AOC lies in southern Medoc and covers a much larger area in Bordeaux. Medoc AOC lies to the north of Bordeaux. 
2. The Haut Medoc appellation covers a larger area and has a more diverse terroir compared to the Medoc appellation.
3. The Haut Medoc appellation wines are complex, tannic, and acidic, with notes of licorice, blackberry, and spice. They’re meant for long-term cellaring as well. The Medoc appellation produces easy-drinking red wines with less acidity and notes of berries, licorice, and roasted coffee. 

Invest In A Remarkable Haut Medoc Wine

The spectacular Haut Medoc wine carries incredible investment potential while being a great celebratory drink!

Check out the Vinovest website to discover how you can easily buy, store, and sell authentic Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc wines like these, from across the globe.