
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.
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou (3 Liter) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $1,199.971,199 971199 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Lafite Rothschild (torn label) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Margaux 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
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Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $1,069.001,0691069Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Lynch-Bages 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Clerc Milon 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Latour 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Beychevelle 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion (wine stained label) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Margaux (bin soiled label) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Leoville Barton 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
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Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $229.97229 97229 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Lafite Rothschild (6 Liter Bottle) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Latour (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $238.99285 99238 99Save $47.00 (16%) -
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $245.99245 99245 99Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
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Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $189.99238 19189 99Save $48.20 (20%) -
Chateau Lafite Rothschild (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau La Conseillante 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Pape Clement (bin soiled label) 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Opus One 1986Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
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