A new Bordeaux appellation showdown, with fresh contenders ready to put their wines to the test and win over your palate.
Leading the charge is Aude, winemaker at Château Robin La Fleur, proudly flying the flag for Lussac Saint‑Émilion AOC. Facing her is Nea, winemaker at Château Carsin, who enthusiastically pulls on the jersey for Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux AOC. In short, a mouth‑watering line‑up that—trust us—delivers on every promise. Let the battle begin.
Warm-up round: the terroirs take the stage…
As its name suggests, Lussac Saint-Émilion is one of the four appellations within the Saint-Émilion family (alongside Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru). Its home turf lies on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Spread across 1,450 hectares, Lussac cuts an elegant figure, shaped by clay-limestone valleys and south-facing limestone plateaux, arranged almost like a natural amphitheatre. Add to this a rich biodiversity, wrapped in a mild, temperate oceanic climate, and you have a nurturing environment where vines are more than happy to put down roots.
Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux is no less impressive. Its 1,100-hectare vineyard, firmly established on rolling hillsides, follows the Right Bank of the Garonne River. The vines blend seamlessly into a striking landscape of woodlands, meadows and gentle hills lining the water’s edge. Benefiting from excellent sunshine and a mosaic of soils — stony gravels, clay-limestone and clay-gravel formations — this is another terroir where the vine truly thrives.
First half: winemakers firmly on their feet
In Lussac Saint‑Émilion, you’ll mostly encounter human‑scale, often family‑run estates. What do these winemakers have in common? First, a deep pride in their traditions—traditions they’re happy to enrich with thoughtful innovation. Then, an innate sense of hospitality, expressed through a wide range of wine‑tourism experiences.
And during the Saint‑Émilion Open Cellar Days on 4 and 5 May 2024, they’ll be opening their cellar doors to share their craft firsthand. Good vibes guaranteed.
Over in Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, small family properties are being energised by a new generation of winemakers—proof that constant evolution is one of the appellation’s greatest strengths. On these estuary‑shaped lands, the thirst is certainly for good wine, but above all for human connection and conviviality.
That spirit likely explains the winemakers’ taste for boldness, reflected in their wines and in labels that are colourful, original—sometimes even delightfully offbeat.
Second half: precision and respect take centre stage
So what about the know‑how that brings Lussac Saint‑Émilion wines to life? Here, vines are tended like a private garden—with meticulous care and an almost artisanal rigour—so that pristine terroirs can be passed on to future generations. A clear sign of this deeply rooted commitment: 100% of estates hold environmental certification, whether HVE (levels 2 or 3) or organic farming.
In Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, winemakers reveal themselves to be true all‑rounders. From vineyard work to winemaking, marketing and often refreshingly off‑beat communication, they operate on every front. Including the environmental one, where their engagement takes many forms: conversion to or certification in organic or biodynamic farming, Terra Vitis or Environmental Management System labels, and collective initiatives such as hedge‑planting projects.
Here too, small family‑run estates are fuelled by the energy of a new generation of winemakers—the driving force behind an appellation in constant motion. On these estuary‑shaped lands, the thirst is not only for good wine, but above all for connection and conviviality. No doubt this explains the winemakers’ taste for boldness, reflected in wines—and labels—that are colourful, original, and sometimes delightfully unconventional.
Stoppage time: red wines ready to give it their all
The final whistle is about to blow…
So, what’s the score in the glass?
For Lussac Saint‑Émilion, the undisputed playmaker is Merlot. Supple and generous, it often relies on a trusted winger in the blend: Cabernet Franc, bringing freshness and complexity. The result? Silky, elegant, fruit‑forward red wines, made for relaxed enjoyment—shared with friends or family, no fuss required.
In Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, red wines also take centre stage. Here, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are joined by two additional teammates: Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. These blends deliver wines that are fruity, approachable yet layered, equally suited to cellaring or to drinking young—after work, while cooking, or over a barbecue (just to name a few occasions).
You now know (almost) everything there is to know about today’s two Bordeaux appellations. The ball is in your court to choose the wine for your next meal. Looking for more inspiration? Head over to our Sauternes vs Moulis‑en‑Médoc battle, or join the conversation on social media with the Bordeaux Crew.