
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.
- Cabernet Sauvignon722
- Pinot Noir683
- Bordeaux Red Blends595
- Other Red Blends338
- Tempranillo210
- Rhône Blends175
- Syrah/Shiraz150
- Sangiovese146
- Malbec146
- Merlot128
- Zinfandel101
- Nebbiolo82
- Grenache61
- Cabernet Franc54
- Gamay38
- Tuscan Blends36
- Barbera28
- Petite Sirah26
- Carmenere20
- Other Red Wine19
- Montepulciano15
- Mourvedre15
- Carignan12
- Mencia12
- Nero d'Avola11
- Dolcetto10
- Pinotage9
- Aglianico8
- Primitivo7
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Agiorgitiko5
- Bonarda4
- Corvina4
- Cinsault3
- Negroamaro3
- Tannat3
- Touriga Nacional2
- Frappato2
- Sagrantino2
- Zweigelt2
- Petit Verdot1
- Valdiguie1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Freisa1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Refosco1
- St. Laurent1
-
Opus One (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- RP
- WS
-
Continuum 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- WW
- JS
- RP
-
Chateau Lestage 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Listrac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
-
Chateau Barde Haut 2014Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- WS
-
Almaviva 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Maipo Valley, Chile
- JS
- RP
-
Rutherford Hill Barrel Select Red Blend 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California
- V
-
Dominus Estate 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- JD
- JS
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Pitray 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
-
Dominus Estate 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- JS
- RP
- WW
-
Chateau Cheval Blanc (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- V
- JS
- RP
- D
- JD
-
Chateau Margaux (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- V
- D
- JD
-
Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- V
- D
- JD
-
Chateau Malescot St. Exupery (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- V
- JS
- RP
- JD
- D
-
Sur de los Andes Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Premium Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Mendoza, Argentina
- WE
- JS
-
Chateau Lynch-Bages (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- V
- JD
- RP
- D
-
Chateau Haut Peyruguet 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- JS
-
Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Futures Pre-Sale) 2020Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- JD
- WE
- RP
- D
-
Chateau Mouton Rothschild (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- V
- D
- JD
-
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Futures Pre-Sale) 2020Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- V
- D
- JD
- RP
-
Almaviva Epu Puente Alto Red 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Maipo Valley, Chile
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- RP
- JS
- D
- JD
-
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- V
- JS
- JD
- RP
- D
-
Chateau Bourdieu No.1 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- D
- JD
-
Chateau Palmer (Futures Pre-Sale) 2021Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- V
- JS
- JD
- D
-
Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietor's Blend 2020Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California