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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Gramercy 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyThis Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Merlot is graceful and balanced like a ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$110 -
Lexington 2019 Apex Gist Ranch Estate Red (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastSmoked red fruit and red spice aromas make for a very dry ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$110 -
Halter Ranch 2019 Ancestor Red (Adelaida District)
Central CoastBaked blackberry, leather, cocoa and espresso-bean aromas show on the nose of ...See Full Review$85 -
Peachy Canyon 2020 Cirque Du Vin Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastThis wine's label refresh comes with a more focused blend of 78% ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$24 -
Defiance 2018 Whipper-in Estate Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDense in the glass and dry on the nose, this blend of ...See Full Review$65 -
Le Vigne 2019 Nikiara Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDried cherry and fresh red-flower aromas show on the nose of this ...See Full Review$54 -
Gundlach Bundschu 2021 Mountain Cuvée Red (California)
California OtherVelvety in texture and full in body, this moderately tannic wine is ...See Full Review$25 -
Château Lafite Rothschild 2020 Pauillac
BordeauxStructured, dense and with great concentration, this wine is magnificent. Its black ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$709 -
Château Mouton Rothschild 2020 Pauillac
BordeauxThis is a massive, impressive wine. Dense tannins and succulent black fruits ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$640 -
Château Troplong Mondot 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis firmly structured wine with its high percentage of Merlot is powerful ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$120 -
Château Palmer 2020 Margaux
BordeauxMassively rich already with density and opulence, this powerful wine is half-and-half ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$342 -
Château Pichon Baron 2020 Pauillac
BordeauxMade with a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine offers dark ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$166 -
Château Margaux 2020 Margaux
BordeauxThis is a big wine, smoky and rich. With a higher proportion ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$641 -
Château Valandraud 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis 17-acre vineyard gives a wine with an explosion of black fruits. ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$150 -
Arkenstone 2019 Estate Red (Howell Mountain)
NapaThis mountain-grown blend of Bordeaux varieties, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, offers power with ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$225 -
Château Cheval Blanc 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis wine has power and density. It also offers a perfumed intensity ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$576 -
Château Durfort-Vivens 2020 Margaux
BordeauxIn this wine, the tannins are velvety, with black fruits that are ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$67 -
Château Pontet-Canet 2020 Pauillac
BordeauxThe magnificent structure and balance of this wine are powerful. It shows ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$115 -
Vieux Château Certan 2020 Pomerol
BordeauxThis wine has a surprising amount of Merlot in the blend for ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$364 -
Château Calon Ségur 2020 Saint-Estèphe
BordeauxThis wine has a touch of spice to go with its powerful ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$121
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