Bordeaux-style Red Blend
The phrase “Bordeaux-style red blend” may be used informally to describe red wines produced from a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and to a lesser extent Carmenère and Malbec.
All the red wines of Bordeaux can naturally be described as such, though it is also an appropriate term for wines made outside of the region, including those from California, Washington, Argentina and beyond.
Appellation d’Origine Protegée (AOP) laws and other protections of origin mean that only wine made in the Bordeaux area can, according to strict regulations, be officially labelled as Bordeaux.
The success of the Bordeaux-style red blend has seen it exported to other regions, notably the United States, though also in some of the fine wines of South America. To understand the Bordeaux style red blend better, it is worthwhile to establish some facts about each of its composite parts and what they bring to the overall blend.
Wines used in a Red Bordeaux-style Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon produces deeply colored, highly structured and full-bodied wines with ample acidity. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is naturally high in tannin and is thus capable of aging for decades, sometimes in fact requiring it to be approachable and enjoyable. In youth, Cabernet Sauvignon shows black fruit aromas and flavors, particularly of blackcurrant, that over time give way to subtle, nuanced tertiary aromas.
Merlot
Merlot is a softer and rounder grape variety, with more obvious fruit than the Cabernet Sauvignon. Though capable of producing superb wines by itself, its job as a counterbalance to the austerity and astringency of the Cabernet Sauvignon should not be overlooked.
The grape is widely grown and produces wines from entry-level to some of the world’s finest, with Pomerol’s Pétrus and Château Le Pin the standard-bearers.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, though is considerably lighter in color, body and tannin. It offers a Bordeaux-style red blend more obvious fruit than Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a pleasant herbaceous note. Its lighter body can be welcome when blended with its more robust progeny, offering crispness to the wines.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot remains a small but important part of many quality Bordeaux-style red blends. Single varietal wines are powerful, deeply colored and tannic. In blends, it boosts tannins and deepens the color, and offers a distinctive spicy note.
Malbec
Malbec also plays a smaller supportive roll in Bordeaux and is more common in nearby Cahors and, notably, Argentina. At its best, it is deep-colored and fruit forward.
Carmenère
Carmenère is nearly extinct in Bordeaux today and is much more significant in Chile. It is a low-yielding grape that produces deep-colored, full-bodied wines.
Browse an extensive collection of wine Buying Guides using our online database below. We’ll help you to locate the next Bordeaux-style blend to suit your palate and occasion.
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Château Figeac 2018 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxWith its rich swathe of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has density and ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$245 -
Château Pichon Baron 2018 Pauillac
BordeauxThis great estate in southern Pauillac, facing the Latour vineyard, is at ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$222 -
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Château Lafite Rothschild 2018 Pauillac
BordeauxAn immensely structured wine, this is complex, concentrated and yet so contained. ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$780 -
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou 2018 Saint-Julien
BordeauxVintage 2018 was generous to the style of Ducru-Beaucaillou. The rich character ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$200 -
Château Mouton Rothschild 2018 Pauillac
BordeauxDense structure, powerful tannins and intense black fruits are contained within this ...See Full Review$670 -
Château Palmer 2018 Margaux
BordeauxThis dense wine is almost black in color. Offering tannins and luscious ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$343 -
Château Pontet-Canet 2018 Pauillac
BordeauxThis wine combines the richness of the vintage with a sophisticated structure ...See Full Review$130 -
Château Cheval Blanc 2018 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThe first thing that strikes about this wine is its massive density. ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$700 -
Château Ausone 2018 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThe perfumes of this wine just pour from the glass. They measure ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$834 -
Château Margaux 2018 Margaux
BordeauxWhile this wine reflects the richness and density of the vintage, it ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$590 -
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018 Pauillac
BordeauxThis famous estate at the southern end of Pauillac has produced a ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$199 -
Château Montrose 2018 Saint-Estèphe
BordeauxThis wine confirms the place of Montrose among the top Bordeaux estates. ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$189 -
Château Léoville Barton 2018 Saint-Julien
BordeauxIn this wine, fine and rich tannins partner with powerful black-plum and ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$95 -
Château Rauzan-Ségla 2018 Margaux
BordeauxWarm-hearted and rich with black-plum and dark-chocolate flavors, this wine comes from ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$155 -
Château Calon Ségur 2018 Saint-Estèphe
BordeauxThis is a dense, generous wine. Swathes of black fruits are packed ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$160 -
Clos Fourtet 2018 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis impressive estate has produced another fine wine. Structured, powered by tannins ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$129 -
Château Bélair-Monange 2018 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxDense layers of black fruits mingle with dusty tannins in this wine. ...See Full Review$190 -
Château Léoville Poyferré 2018 Saint-Julien
BordeauxRichly dense and impressively concentrated, this is a powerful wine. Swathes of ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$99 -
Château la Gaffelière 2018 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis estate is on a roll. Replete with powerful tannins and dense ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$74 -
Château Valandraud 2018 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis release continues the great run of vintages from this estate, based ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$189
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