
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.
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Chateau Haut-Brion 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $250.99250 99250 99Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Pavie 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Cos d'Estournel (torn labels) 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (slightly torn labels) 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Harlan Estate 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Latour (scuffed label) 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Viader Proprietary Red 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Valandraud 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
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Sloan Proprietary Red 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Ridge Monte Bello 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Vieux Chateau Certan 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
- RP
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $134.99134 99134 99Save $0.00 (0%) -
Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red (scuffed label) 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Pavie Decesse 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Calon-Segur 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Angelus 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- D
- RP
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Chateau Montrose 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $179.97179 97179 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Abreu Vineyards Madrona Ranch 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $139.97139 97139 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Ornellaia 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
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Chateau de Reignac Cuvee Speciale 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- RP
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DeLille Harrison Hill Red 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
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Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- WW
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- D
- WS
- RP
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Stonestreet Legacy Meritage Red 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- RP