
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.
- Cabernet Sauvignon775
- Pinot Noir466
- Syrah/Shiraz434
- Other Red Blends408
- Merlot397
- Bordeaux Red Blends369
- Sangiovese254
- Zinfandel200
- Rhône Blends193
- Tempranillo176
- Nebbiolo158
- Barbera47
- Other Red Wine46
- Grenache40
- Petite Sirah35
- Tuscan Blends32
- Cabernet Franc29
- Gamay29
- Malbec25
- Mourvedre14
- Montepulciano11
- Pinotage11
- Aglianico9
- Carmenere9
- Dolcetto8
- Negroamaro6
- Nero d'Avola6
- Primitivo6
- Bonarda2
- Carignan2
- Corvina2
- Valdiguie2
- Gaglioppo2
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Bobal1
- Mencia1
- Sagrantino1
- Teroldego1
- Non-Vintage27
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- 2018237
- 2017376
- 2016843
- 20151197
- 20141597
- 20131568
- 20122173
- 20111850
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Chateau Valandraud 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
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Verite Le Desir (stained label) 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Bond Matriarch 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
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Verite La Joie 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Gaja Camarcanda 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- RP
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Arietta H Block Hudson Vineyards Red Blend 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Carneros, California
- RP
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Joseph Phelps Insignia (bin soiled label) 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- W&S
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Pavie 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, 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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Chateau Haut-Brion 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Clos Apalta 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- WS
- JS
- W&S
-
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- WS
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Verite La Muse 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Justin Isosceles 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Cheval Blanc 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Harlan Estate 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Claret 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- 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
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Harlan The Maiden 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Chateau de Reignac Cuvee Speciale 2001Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- RP