
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 Sauvignon165
- Pinot Noir152
- Other Red Blends71
- Bordeaux Red Blends55
- Syrah/Shiraz38
- Rhône Blends30
- Merlot29
- Sangiovese18
- Malbec17
- Tempranillo16
- Zinfandel16
- Nebbiolo13
- Tuscan Blends9
- Cabernet Franc8
- Grenache8
- Nero d'Avola5
- Barbera4
- Carignan2
- Mourvedre2
- Other Red Wine2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Aglianico1
- Carmenere1
- Gamay1
- Lagrein1
- Montepulciano1
- Petite Sirah1
- Pinotage1
- Primitivo1
- Mencia1
-
Clos Apalta 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
- RP
- D
-
Dominus Estate 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- V
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Apalta 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
- RP
-
Justin Isosceles 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
-
Catena D.V. Catena Tinto Historico Red Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
-
Rupert & Rothschild Rouge Classique 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from South Africa
-
Chateau Pavie 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
- WS
- D
- WE
- TA
-
Matchbook Arsonist Red Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from California
- WW
- WE
-
Dominus Napanook Vineyard 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WE
- JD
- RP
-
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- D
- RP
- JS
- JD
- WS
- V
-
Domaines Barons de Rothschild Legende Bordeaux Rouge 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
-
CARO Amancaya 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Mendoza, Argentina
- TA
- RP
- WW
-
Aia Vecchia Lagone Toscana 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JD
-
Intrinsic Red Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
-
DeLille D2 Estate Red 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- RP
- WW
- JD
- W&S
-
Ridge Monte Bello (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- JD
- WW
- RP
- WS
- CG
-
Orma Toscana 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
-
Favia Carbone Red Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- JD
- JS
-
Dominus Estate (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- V
- RP
- JS
- JD
- WE
- WS
-
Halter Ranch Vineyard Ancestor Estate Reserve 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WE
-
Vina Cobos Cocodrilo 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Mendoza, Argentina
- TA
-
Tenuta di Arceno Il Fauno di Arcanum 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
-
Robert Mondavi Maestro 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WW
-
L'Ecole 41 Ferguson Estate Red 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- WE
-
Trefethen Dragon's Tooth Red Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- D
- WE