The Left Bank is home to soil that is primarily gravelly and has excellent drainage. Although relatively flat, the Bank possesses mounds or terraces of gravel left by a sea which withdrew itself thousands of years ago. Cabernet Sauvignon, which grows excellently in gravelly soil, is the predominant red grape variety of the area. A Bordeaux from the Haut-Médoc or Pessac-Léognan typically possesses 60 to 65 percent Cabernet Sauvignon in its blend, and approximately 25 to 30 percent Merlot.

In general, the red Bordeaux wines from the Left Bank are rather tannic and austere in their youth, and they have a black currant aroma and flavor which stands out. They develop complex secondary aromas and flavors as they age, such as stewed fruit, leather, earth, and tobacco; their colors lighten and flavors soften, as the tannin concentration of the wine begins to reduce.

Wines of this area need at least ten years of maturing to come into their own, and the best among them have the potential of developing further for decades. The most common error made with Left Bank Bordeaux wines is consuming them while they’re less than a decade old, as they can taste harsh and bitter at this age, leaving their true potential unrealized.