SAINT EMILION
On the right bank of the river Dordogne lies the large Saint-Emilion commune. Unfortunately Saint-Emilion was omitted from the 1855 Classification so Saint-Emilion made its own classification in 1954 and is now revisited every ten years or so (in 1984, 1995 and 2006). Château have been promoted and demoted during these reclassifications. Merlot and Cabernet Franc lead the grape varieties in terms of importance with Cabernet Sauvignon playing a support role. Soil profiles in this large appellation are diverse with a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial soils in some areas to gravel and limestone in the best areas. The best wines here are always Châteaux Cheval Blanc and Ausone - both amongst Bordeaux's elite wines.
