With more than 7,000 chateaux, France’s Bordeaux region is the most important wine producing region in the world. As well as being the basis for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-based wines everywhere, Bordeaux wines are acknowledged to be among the world’s best reds—according to experts and amateurs alike.
The wine region of Bordeaux is comprised of many smaller areas and encompasses both banks of the Gironde estuary in southwest France, as well as the land bordering the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, which split off from the Gironde in the southern Medoc area. Generally, Bordeaux's best red wines are from seven major (and well-known) appellations: Pauillac, Saint-Estephe, Saint-Julien, and Margaux in the greater Medoc region, Graves to the south of the city of Bordeaux—in the region’s center, and Saint-Emilion and Pomerol toward the east. The large Graves region, as well as being the birthplace of claret, is home to many of the best dry whites. Premium sweet wines are made in Sauternes and Barsac, which are also within the Graves appellation but toward the south.
In understanding the multitude of Bordeaux wines, experts tend to talk about the right and left banks of the Gironde River. Generally, red wines from the river’s left bank, especially from Bordeaux’s Medoc region, are based on Cabernet Sauvignon, mixed with varying amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and, occasionally, a spot of Petit Verdot and Malbec. These reds are known to be firm and dry, with a substantial tannic spine, and are frequently austere in their youth. They are also among the world’s longest-lived. The Graves’ gravel and sand soil content contribute to more texture early and roasted accents of hot stones, smoke and tobacco.
The softer Merlot grape is the foundation for right bank wines, mostly to the town of Libourne’s eastern side. These wines are fleshier in general than wines from the left bank and are more pliant. They are also accessible at an earlier age—though the best of them can improve in bottle for decades.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 d'Yquem bursts from the glass with gregarious crème caramel, allspice, dried apricots, mandarin peel and pineapple upside down cake scents plus a fragrant undercurrent of fungi...
Wine Spectator, 92 points: Exotically perfumed violet and rose petals burst on your palate accompanied by dried apricot lemon and honey flavors. Gorgeous and subtle glowing on the finish.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: (RP90-92 points) Rated, no tasting note given. - Robert Parker
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 99 points: Crisp notes of vanilla, marzipan, pineapple, mango, orange rind, flowers, and candied apricot are right there, as soon as wine the moves from the bottle to your glass. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, fresh, sweet...
Vinous, 97 points: The 2016 Suduiraut is fabulous. Crème br?lée, passion fruit, tangerine peel and exotic floral notes all race out of the glass. I marvel at how Suduiraut can deliver so much flavor intensity and yet remain so gracious and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 89 points: Seductive notes of honeysuckle and pineapples follow through in the flavors of this medium to full-bodied, unctuously textured, chunky, fleshy, appealing 2000. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years. - Robert Parker
Vinous, 92 points: The 2016 Carmes de Rieussec is absolutely gorgeous. Hints of passionfruit, pineapple and mint all run through this gracious Sauternes. Medium in body, open-knit and accessible, the 2016 is easy to drink and enjoy right...
Vinous, 96 points: Bright yellow-gold. Enticing aromas of mango guava yellow peach saffron minerals and honey complicated by high-toned botrytis. Rich dense and almost oily with intense ripe yellow fruit and honey flavors lifted by firm...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: The proprietors are extremely happy with what they were able to produce in 2000. Even though this vintage has a poor reputation producers who only included the early-picked grapes in their final blends have often turned...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: Pale gold in color, the 2009 Doisy Daëne features expressive notes of honeyed lemons, dried mango slices, apricot tart and Seville orange marmalade with a touch of shaved almonds. The palate delivers mouth-filling stone...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: 96+ Pale lemon-gold colored, the 2016 Climens is a little youthfully mute, revealing notions of ripe peaches, mango and musk melon with touches of cedar chest, orange blossoms, candied ginger and baking bread. Bursting...
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Great descriptions, well stocked with pertinent information. Good selection.
-Marc C., May 2020