
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.
- Pinot Noir276
- Cabernet Sauvignon266
- Bordeaux Red Blends241
- Sangiovese156
- Syrah/Shiraz154
- Nebbiolo145
- Rhône Blends120
- Other Red Blends106
- Tempranillo48
- Merlot41
- Zinfandel39
- Malbec35
- Tuscan Blends16
- Aglianico11
- Barbera10
- Grenache10
- Other Red Wine9
- Mencia6
- Petite Sirah5
- Cabernet Franc4
- Dolcetto4
- Gamay4
- Mourvedre4
- Touriga Nacional4
- Negroamaro3
- Nero d'Avola3
- Sagrantino3
- Carmenere1
- Corvina1
- Lagrein1
- Pinotage1
- Primitivo1
- Mondeuse1
- Nerello Mascalese1
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Opus One 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- RP
- D
- WS
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Opus One (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- RP
- D
- WS
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Dominus Estate (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WW
- W&S
- WS
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Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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OVID (bin soiled label) 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- V
- RP
- WS
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Clos Apalta 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
- WW
- WE
- WS
- RP
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $119.99119 99119 99Save $0.00 (0%) -
Chateau Haut-Bailly 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- JD
- WW
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Joseph Phelps Insignia 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- JD
- RP
- CG
- WE
- WS
- W&S
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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WW
- JS
- RP
- WE
- WS
- D
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Harlan Estate 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau Lynch-Bages 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- WS
- JS
- WW
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Chateau Pape Clement 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- WW
- JD
- WE
- JS
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Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WS
- WW
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Chateau La Dominique 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WW
- WE
- WS
- JS
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Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- RP
- WS
- WW
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Ornellaia 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- D
- WS
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Chateau Fombrauge 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- WS
- JS
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Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Ridge Monte Bello (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- WS
- RP
- W&S
- CG
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $529.97529 97529 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Joseph Phelps Insignia (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- JD
- RP
- CG
- WE
- WS
- W&S
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $449.97449 97449 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvee 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau Carbonnieux 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Chateau Pontet-Canet 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- WE
- WS
- JD
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Montes Alpha M 2012Bordeaux Red Blends from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
- WE
- RP
- WS