
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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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Ridge Monte Bello 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- WS
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Dominus Estate 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- WS
- RP
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Joseph Phelps Insignia 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Haut-Brion (stained label) 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- JS
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Chateau Lynch-Bages 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
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Rudd Jericho Canyon Vineyard Proprietary Red 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Harlan Estate 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Verite La Muse 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Chateau Palmer 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau Margaux 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Cheval Blanc (scuffed labels) 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
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Chateau Latour 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Joseph Phelps Insignia (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Pavie 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Gruaud Larose 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Sergant Lalande de Pomerol 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
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Merryvale Profile (375ML half-bottle) 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Merryvale Profile 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Poyferre 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
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Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Eloge 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France