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.
jamessuckling.com, 100 points: The aromas to this are incredible with blueberry, minerals, dried flowers, and stones. It goes to dried meat and spices. Full body and incredibly integrated with blackberry, licorice, and minerals. There's a wonderful...
jamessuckling.com, 90 points: A firm and silky red with currant, plum and berry character. Medium body, fresh finish. Stone and dark fruit. Drink now.
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 96 points: (JL94-96 points) Forest floor, truffle, smoke, licorice and sweet, ripe plum and cherry notes, this wine is sensuous, silky and packed with fresh fruits and crushed rocks that leave you with an elegant sensation of...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: So much violet and lilac aromas to this with blackberry and blueberry character, too. Full-bodied and delivering limestone, chalk and lavender on the palate. Great structure, too. Needs four or five years to soften...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: A rich, expressive, slightly showy style, with waves of cassis, creamed raspberry and boysenberry fruit racing forth, backed by a polished yet ample structure. The long, licorice- and ganache- framed finish packs on...
jamessuckling.com, 90 points: This shows a frankness and beauty for a 2011 from the third wine of Latour. Bright and fresh with firm tannins and a currant and berry character. A little lean. Better in 2016
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: A candidate for the "wine of the vintage" Pontet Canet's 2008 boasts an opaque purple color as well as copious aromas of sweet blueberries blackberries and black currant fruit intertwined with lead pencil shavings subtle...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: This La Fleur Morange Mathilde is also 100% Merlot, but with the alcohol hitting 13.5% in the 2008 vintage. It is a fabulous effort. Exuberant, hedonistic quantities of white chocolate, black currants, sweet cherries and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: (WA 97-100 points) The final blend of the 2017 Cos d'Estournel is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Very deep purple-black in color, it offers up intense scents of crushed...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: 98+ The wine out distances both Leoville Las Cases and Leoville Barton, but all three of them are compelling efforts. Full-bodied, dense purple in color, with floral notes intermixed with blackberries, cassis, graphite...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: (WA 96-98 points) Blended of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Pontet-Canet opens with vibrant wild blueberries, black raspberries and crushed...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Racy and fresh with a delicious core of mulled plum and fig fruit liberally laced with bright cassis violet and chalk notes. The long mouthwatering finish has nice cut. Merlot Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Very aromatic and chalky on the nose with blackberries and blackcurrants. Licorice, too. Full to medium body, savory and chewy tannins, yet this always remains polished with a long and pretty finish. Drink in 2020, but...
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