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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Tapiz 2017 Retrato Por Jean Claude Single Vineyard Red (Mendoza)
Mendoza ProvinceJean-Claude Berrout, former winemaker of Chateau Petrus, has been working with Tapiz ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$100 -
Avennia 2020 Sestina Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyThe joy of this wine begins with a nose featuring boysenberry, marigold ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$75 -
Franciscan 2018 Magnificat Meritage (Napa Valley)
NapaConcentrated but supple, this quietly powerful wine cradles massive black and blue ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$55 -
Château Léoville Poyferré 2020 Saint-Julien
BordeauxOf course, this impressive classified growth wine is young. But it's easy ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$114 -
Trinitas 2016 Meritage Red (Napa Valley)
NapaElegant and agile, but beautifully concentrated, this well-polished Malbec-based blend cradles deep ...See Full Review$70 -
Château d'Arsac 2020 Cru Bourgeois (Margaux)
BordeauxThis fine estate at the western end of the Margaux appellation has ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$30 -
Guardian 2020 Gun Metal Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyThis is a balanced Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Petit Verdot blend, with lively acidity and ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$45 -
Château de Sales 2020 Pomerol
BordeauxDominant Merlot in the blend gives this wine both its richness and ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Neyers 2020 Left Bank Red Red (Napa Valley)
NapaClassically structured and packed with flavor, this full-bodied blend of Merlot and ...See Full Review$50 -
L'Ecole No. 41 2020 Ferguson Vineyard Estate Grown Red (Walla Walla Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyI love the sweet and powdery aroma that smells like blackcap raspberries ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$70 -
DeLille 2020 Harison Hill Red (Snipes Mountain)
Columbia ValleyThis sleek blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 12% Cabernet ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$110 -
DeLille 2020 Red Wilow Red (Yakima Valley)
Columbia ValleyThis Cabernet Franc-driven blend makes a nice first impression with Chelan cherry, ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$80 -
Avennia 2020 Gravura Red (Columbia Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleyThis is full-throttled, Cabernet Sauvignon-driven fun, from its blackberry, black licorice and ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$40 -
Château de Lamarque 2020 Haut-Médoc
BordeauxThis fine estate has produced a structured, ripe wine. Its black currant ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Cass 2020 M&M Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastThis blend of 57% Malbec, 37% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot begins ...See Full Review$62 -
Pascual Toso 2018 Magdalena Toso Barrancas Vineyards Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)
Mendoza ProvinceThis wine comes from vines that grow at 2,600 feet—not the highest ...See Full Review$130 -
Hendry 2018 Hendry Vineyard Red (Napa Valley)
NapaDense and chocolatey, this deep, dark and mouth-filling Bordeaux-style blend is a ...See Full Review$48 -
Ehlers Estate 2019 Portrait Red (St. Helena)
NapaThis sleek Bordeaux-style wine aged in mostly new French barrels is easy ...See Full Review$77 -
Dry Creek Vineyard 2019 Meritage Red (Dry Creek Valley)
SonomaDark, deep and luxuriously saturated, this full-bodied blend based on Merlot powers ...See Full Review$40 -
Château Cantelune 2020 Margaux
BordeauxThe wine has all the richness and the elegance of a fine ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$69
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