The Right Bank of Bordeaux—centred around Saint-Émilion and Pomerol—offers a different take on Bordeaux’s story. Here, Merlot leads the blends, often with Cabernet Franc adding structure and perfume. The result is wines that are plush, expressive, and approachable earlier in life, though the best examples also have serious ageing potential.

Unlike the Left Bank’s historic 1855 Classification, the Right Bank’s approach to rankings is more recent and less formalised. Pomerol has no official classification at all, yet it's home to some of Bordeaux’s most sought-after wines, including Pétrus, Le Pin, and Lafleur. Reputation here is earned through consistency, not hierarchy.

Saint-Émilion does have its own classification system, introduced in 1955 and revised every ten years. It ranks estates as Grand Cru Classé and Premier Grand Cru Classé, with a small handful at the top tier—Châteaux Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Pavie, and Figeac. Unlike the fixed 1855 model, this system reflects the region’s evolving quality and competitiveness.

Altogether, the Right Bank is a region driven by terroir, producer vision, and individuality—where classification matters, but character leads.