
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.
- Bordeaux Red Blends37
- Cabernet Sauvignon14
- Sangiovese4
- Syrah/Shiraz4
- Nebbiolo2
- Other Red Blends1
- Tuscan Blends1
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate37
- Wine Spectator37
- James Suckling3
- Decanter1
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Chateau Haut-Brion 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Dominus Estate 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion (stained label) 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Montrose (stained label) 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Lynch-Bages 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Latour 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Latour 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Opus One 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Barton 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Poyferre 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Harlan Estate 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Mount Veeder Winery Reserve Red 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Palmer 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Ridge Monte Bello 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from California
- WS
- RP
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Chateau de Pez 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Dalla Valle Maya Proprietary Red Blend 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Montrose 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- D
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Margaux 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- JS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild (3 Liter Bottle) 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Pape Clement 1990Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS