
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.
- Pinot Noir278
- Cabernet Sauvignon203
- Other Red Blends74
- Rhône Blends68
- Bordeaux Red Blends56
- Syrah/Shiraz40
- Zinfandel35
- Merlot34
- Sangiovese30
- Malbec30
- Tempranillo19
- Grenache15
- Gamay12
- Tuscan Blends11
- Barbera9
- Nebbiolo7
- Petite Sirah7
- Cabernet Franc6
- Carmenere6
- Mourvedre6
- Agiorgitiko4
- Aglianico3
- Other Red Wine3
- Mencia3
- Bonarda2
- Montepulciano2
- Tannat2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Carignan1
- Cinsault1
- Corvina1
- Dolcetto1
- Lagrein1
- Pinotage1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Gaglioppo1
-
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WE
- D
- WS
-
Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- WS
- JS
- WE
- RP
- D
- V
-
Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietor's Blend 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WW
-
Chateau Mangot 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- JD
-
Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- JS
- D
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Chateau Durand-Laplagne Les Terres Rouges Puisseguin-St. Emilion 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- RP
-
Chateau Jalousie Beaulieu Bordeaux Superieur 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- WE
-
Chateau Saint-Andre Corbin 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
- WW
-
Chateau Fage Graves de Vayres 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France
-
Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
-
Shafer TD-9 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- JD
- RP
-
Chateau Mongravey 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- JS
- D
- WS
-
Domaine Du Castel Petit Castel (OK Kosher) 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Israel
- WS
-
Girard Artistry 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WW
- RP
-
Castello di Bolgheri Bolgheri Varvara 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
-
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Ateo 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WW
-
Chateau de Landiras 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
- D
-
Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
-
Orin Swift Cellars Papillon 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Argentiera Villa Donoratico Bolgheri 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
-
Chateau Baret 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- JS
-
J. Bookwalter Protagonist 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
-
Denner Mother of Exiles 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
-
Chateau La Patache 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- D
- JD
- V
-
Shannon Ridge Buck Shack Red 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Lake County, North Coast, California