
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.
-
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- D
- WS
- RP
- JS
- W&S
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $959.97959 97959 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Margaux 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- WS
- RP
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $629.97629 97629 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Haut-Brion (stained labels) 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
-
Harlan Estate 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
-
Verite La Joie (bin soiled label) 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- RP
- JD
- JS
- WS
-
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $459.97459 97459 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Chateau Leoville Barton 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Lynch-Bages 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- WS
-
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- JS
- RP
- W&S
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $109.97109 97109 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Angelus 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- W&S
- WS
-
Verite (bin soiled lablel) 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Sonoma County, California
- WE
- WS
-
Dominus Estate 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- WS
- D
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $99.99109 9999 99Save $10.00 (9%) -
Vieux Chateau Certan 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- WS
- RP
-
Ornellaia 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- D
- WS
- RP
-
Chateau Pavie Decesse 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
-
Dalla Valle Maya Proprietary Red Blend 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Gazin 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
-
Dominus Estate (1.5 L) 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- WS
-
Rudd Jericho Canyon Vineyard (stained label) 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
-
Hogue Cabernet-Merlot 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- WS
-
Tenuta Guado al Tasso 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Rudd Jericho Canyon Vineyard Proprietary Red 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
-
Chimney Rock Elevage Red 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WS
-
Chateau Clinet 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP