
Bordeaux Blends
Learn about Bordeaux Blends — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired red blends, have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World, especially in California, Washington and Australia. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, these are sometimes referred to in the US as “Meritage” blends. In Bordeaux itself, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates in wines from the Left Bank of the Gironde River, while the Right Bank focuses on Merlot. Often, blends from outside the region are classified as being inspired by one or the other.
Tasting Notes for Bordeaux Blends
Bordeaux Blends are dry, red wines and generally have aromas and flavors of black currant, black cherry plum, graphite, cedar and violet. Cabernet-based, Left-Bank-styled wines are typically more tannic and structured, while Merlot-based wines, modeled after the Right Bank, are softer and suppler. Cabernet Franc can add herbal notes, while Malbec and Petit Verdot contribute color and structure.
Perfect Food Pairings for Bordeaux Blends
Since Bordeaux Blends are often quite structured and tannic, they pair best with hearty, flavorful and fatty meat dishes. Any type of steak makes for a classic pairing. Equally welcome with these wines would be beef brisket, pot roast, braised lamb or smoked duck.
Sommelier Secrets for Bordeaux Blends
While the region of Bordeaux is limited to a select few approved grape varieties in specified percentages, the New World is free to experiment. Bordeaux Blends in California may include equal amounts of Cabernet Franc and Malbec, for example. Occassionally a winemaker might add a small percentage of a non-Bordeaux variety, such as Syrah or Petite Sirah for a desired result.
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Andrew Will Winery Champoux Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Tenuta di Biserno Il Pino 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Continuum 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Colgin Cariad 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Chateau Brown 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Bond Pluribus (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
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Colgin IX Estate Red 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Pascual Toso Finca Pedregal 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Mendoza, Argentina
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Harlan Estate 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Calluna Estate Red 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
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Buty Conner Lee Merlot Cabernet Franc 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Bond Vecina (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn The Discussion 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Harlan Estate (1 bottle in OWC) 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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DAOU Vineyards Soul of a Lion 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Adelaida District, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Larkmead LMV Salon 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Rosso 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
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Abreu Vineyards Thorevilos 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Bond St. Eden 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Peter Michael Au Paradis 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
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Duckhorn The Discussion (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Bond Quella 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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OVID 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Chateau Bellevue Mondotte 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
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Dalla Valle Maya Proprietary Red Blend 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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