Bordeaux red wine

Bordeaux red wines are considered some of the finest wines in the world. Celebrated for their balance and complexity, these wines are sought after by collectors and wine enthusiasts, not only for their taste but also for their investment potential. Many red wines from Bordeaux can age beautifully and become more nuanced as they mature.

Bordeaux is one of France’s largest and most important wine regions, known for producing a wide range of wines from its prestigious châteaux. The region, which includes both banks of the Gironde Estuary, is famed particularly for its red wine blends. On the Right Bank, you’ll find silky, fruity Merlot-based blends; on the Left Bank, robust and rich Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

Some notable red wines from Bordeaux include the lush and full-bodied Château Cheval Blanc, made with Merlot and Cabernet Franc; the opulent Château Mouton Rothschild with its blackcurrant, spice and oak flavours; and Château Haut-Brion, which has flavours of dark fruits, smoke and earth.

The region’s unique soils, meticulous winemaking and rich history have earned Bordeaux a stellar international reputation. Whether you’re looking for an easy-drinking, everyday wine or a remarkable bottle for a special occasion, there is a bottle of Bordeaux red for you.

Wines have been made in Bordeaux for over 2,000 years, since the Romans brought vine cultivation to the region in the 1st century AD. Through the Middle Ages, Bordeaux built a strong reputation for winemaking, especially for its sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac.

A turning point came in the 17th century, when Dutch merchants drained the Médoc marshes, revealing gravel soils perfect for growing grapes. The following century saw Bordeaux’s wine industry boom thanks to vineyard cultivation and winemaking advances.

In 1855, Emperor Napoleon III requested a classification of Bordeaux’s best wines. This led to the creation of the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, which is still used today. This ranks the finest wine estates into quality categories or ‘growths’ from first to fifth; First Growths (Premiers Crus) are the region’s highest-ranked and most prestigious wines from Bordeaux.

Today, Bordeaux is one of France’s most prestigious wine regions, renowned for its robust red blends made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.

Bordeaux’s various subregions or appellations have distinct landscapes and winemaking traditions. Some of the best-known are:

• Graves – Made from a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend, with Cabernet often being the dominant variety, Graves red wines are balanced and aromatic. They often exhibit flavours influenced by the region’s gravelly soils, including dark fruit, earthy undertones and a distinctive minerality.
• Haut-Médoc – Located on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, Haut-Médoc is home to some of the most prestigious chateaux. They make Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated red blends known for their depth and structure.
• Margaux – Part of the Haut-Médoc, Margaux is recognised for its elegant red wines, predominantly made from Cabernet Sauvignon. They are known for their delicate, floral aromatics – often described as having a bouquet of violets – and their silky, refined tannin structure.
• Pauillac – This appellation is located in the Haut-Médoc. Its red wines are full-bodied, powerful and rich in tannins. They have notable dark fruit and cedar flavours.
• Pessac-Léognan – Part of the Graves region, Pessac-Léognan is known for high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon blends with smoky, earthy characteristics.
• Pomerol – Located on the Right Bank of the Dordogne, Pomerol red wine blends are predominantly Merlot-based. They typically have smooth, velvety textures with plummy fruit and truffle notes.
• Saint-Émilion – This Right Bank region produces Merlot-dominated wines. Saint-Émilion reds are known for their ripe, fruity character and smooth tannins.
• Saint-Julien – Nestled in the Haut-Médoc, Saint-Julien wines are balanced and sophisticated. These blends are Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, with dark fruit flavours backed by firm tannins.

There are many outstanding Bordeaux red wines – the ‘best’ depends on personal preference! Here are a few notable examples of Bordeaux red wines you may enjoy exploring:

• Château Cheval Blanc (Saint-Émilion) – Cheval Blanc sees winemakers use Merlot and Cabernet Franc to make lush, full-bodied wines with flavours of ripe black fruit, tobacco and spices. They’re known for their velvety texture and exceptional complexity.
• Château Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan) – Making full-bodied wines primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Haut-Brion is recognised for its robust structure and flavours of dark fruits, smoke and earth.
• Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac) – Lafite Rothschild creates elegant Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blended wines with flavours of blackcurrant, cedar and graphite, and firm tannins.
• Château Latour (Pauillac) – Making intensely concentrated, full-bodied wines, Latour is admired for its impressive structure, longevity and flavours of dark fruit, tobacco and earth.
• Château Margaux (Margaux) – Château Margaux makes Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines with flavours of ripe berries, violets and spices in a polished, full-bodied style. They’re known for their elegance and complexity.
• Château Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac) – Mouton Rothschild creates rich, full-bodied wines with a base of Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines have flavours of blackcurrant, exotic spices and oak layered over sturdy tannins.
• Château Pétrus (Pomerol) – Chateau Pétrus is known for making one of the world’s most prestigious Merlot-dominated wines. Expect lush, full-bodied wines with flavours of ripe plums, truffles and chocolate, structured with silky tannins.

There are several reasons why Bordeaux produces red wine of such high quality. The region’s maritime climate and diverse soils, especially the gravel-based soils of the Médoc, are ideal for cultivating grapes.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other varieties thrive in this landscape and help create the distinctive Bordeaux blend. These wines are treasured for their balance, complexity and exceptional potential for ageing.

A winemaking tradition spanning centuries and the prestigious classification system also add prestige that sets Bordeaux apart from other regions. From the robust Cabernet-dominated Left Bank wines to the luscious Merlot-based Right Bank offerings, Bordeaux red wines have rightfully earned an excellent reputation.

Home to a variety of reds, from rich, robust and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons to silky, smooth and fruity Merlots, Bordeaux wines won’t disappoint if you love to enjoy a glass of wine with your food.

Rich and savoury roast meats such as beef, lamb and venison are delicious when paired with a full-bodied Bordeaux red. A Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon blend is ideal with roast lamb. Try serving roast duck with a medium-bodied Merlot to make the most of the wine’s complementary red and black fruit flavours. Its moderate acidity can also cut through the fattiness of duck and refresh the palate.

Other delicious food pairings include steak, mushrooms, roasted root vegetables with herbs, blue cheese, Gouda and dark chocolate.