
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 Noir111
- Cabernet Sauvignon87
- Bordeaux Red Blends75
- Sangiovese42
- Nebbiolo29
- Other Red Blends28
- Syrah/Shiraz19
- Tempranillo16
- Zinfandel16
- Rhône Blends15
- Merlot13
- Gamay6
- Malbec5
- Petite Sirah4
- Nerello Mascalese4
- Montepulciano3
- Other Red Wine3
- Tuscan Blends3
- Mencia3
- Aglianico2
- Cabernet Franc2
- Grenache2
- Nero d'Avola2
- Barbera1
- Carignan1
- Carmenere1
- Corvina1
- Petit Verdot1
- Tannat1
- Touriga Nacional1
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Sur de los Andes Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Premium Blend 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from Mendoza, Argentina
- WE
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Chateau Terrasson Cuvee Prevenche 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France
- WE
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Dominus Estate 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- W&S
- WE
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Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
- WE
- D
- WS
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Chateau Lestage 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Listrac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
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Chateau Jalousie Beaulieu Bordeaux Superieur 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- WE
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Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- V
- WE
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Joseph Phelps Insignia 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WW
- JS
- WE
- JD
- CG
- WS
- D
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Dominus Estate 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- V
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Chateau Pavie Macquin 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
- WS
- RP
- JD
- D
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Chateau Haut-Brion 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
- RP
- D
- WS
- JD
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Chateau Greysac 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WE
- WW
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Chateau La Cardonne 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
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Chateau Pavie 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
- WS
- D
- WE
- TA
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Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 2010Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- JS
- WE
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Chateau Pape Clement 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- JD
- RP
- D
- WE
- WS
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Dominus Napanook Vineyard 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WE
- JD
- RP
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Chateau Cheval Blanc 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- D
- WE
- WS
- JD
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Matchbook Arsonist Red Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from California
- WW
- WE
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Chateau Larose-Trintaudon 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
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Chateau Latour (1-Bottle OWC) 2009Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
- WE
- D
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Chateau Les Grands Marechaux 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- WE
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Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WE
- WW
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Chateau Saint-Andre Corbin 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
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Chateau Coutet St. Emilion 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- JS