
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.
- Cabernet Sauvignon197
- Pinot Noir169
- Bordeaux Red Blends102
- Other Red Blends95
- Nebbiolo45
- Tempranillo44
- Rhône Blends38
- Syrah/Shiraz37
- Sangiovese34
- Merlot32
- Malbec26
- Zinfandel22
- Cabernet Franc17
- Tuscan Blends13
- Grenache11
- Gamay7
- Other Red Wine6
- Barbera5
- Carmenere5
- Carignan4
- Mourvedre4
- Petite Sirah4
- Nero d'Avola3
- Bonarda2
- Mencia2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Aglianico1
- Cinsault1
- Dolcetto1
- Montepulciano1
- Pinotage1
- Primitivo1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Freisa1
- Xinomavro1
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Dominus Estate 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
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Chateau Margaux 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
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- D
- WE
- WS
- V
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Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- JD
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- JS
- RP
- D
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Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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- W&S
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Chateau Haut Gaudin Bordeaux Superieur 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- RP
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- D
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Chateau Pontet-Canet 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WE
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- D
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Joseph Phelps Insignia 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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Catena Zapata Nicolas 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Mendoza, Argentina
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- D
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Justin Isosceles 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Chateau Puygueraud 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Cotes de Francs, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- D
- JD
- WE
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Chateau Bel-Air Jean & Gabriel Lussac St.-Emilion 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
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Clos Apalta 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
- D
- RP
- V
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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- D
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- WE
- RP
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Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Apalta 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- RP
- JS
- V
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Chateau Haut Peyruguet 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- JS
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Sena 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Aconcagua Valley, Chile
- JS
- RP
- JD
- D
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Chateau Leoville Poyferre (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
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- RP
- D
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Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Chateau Montrose 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
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- D
- RP
- WE
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Arrow & Branch Right Bank Blend 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Chateau Haut-La Pereyre Cuvee Meste-Jean Cadillac 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- WE
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Chateau Mauperey Cotes de Bordeaux 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- WE
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Blackbird Vineyards Arise Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- V
- WW
- JD
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Chateau Jalousie Beaulieu Bordeaux Superieur 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- WE