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, 94 points: (WA92-94 points) The wine is opaque purple, shows notes of blueberries, incense, camphor and black berry fruit, with licorice and charcoal notes. Complex aromatics are followed by a medium to full-bodied surprisingly...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Very well balanced, this is already a beautiful wine that could almost be drunk now. Smooth tannins and oak are layered with red and black-currant fruits that are perfumed and fresh. The structure is all there, just...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 93 points: (91-93 points) Deep garnet in color with licorice, coffee bean, flowers, stone and spicy, plum scentsthe wine offers a supple, plush, polished and sweet finish brimming with boysenberry, fresh cherry, spice and cocoa. The...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This is a vivid wine with terrific clarity and vibrance aromas and flavors. Full body, ultra fine tannins and a long, long finish. Class. Really superb for the vintage. Needs two or three years of bottle age to soften.
jamessuckling.com, 90 points: A firm and tangy red with plum, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium body, nice flavor. Fresh finish. Drink now.
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Cellar Selection. This wine has a lot of class and elegance, along with firm tannins that show how well it will age. It is dark and concentrated, the black fruits still developing under the solid structure. This wine will...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: (97-98 points) The focus to this wine sets a new standard for Troplong Mondot with density and minerality that I have not encountered for decades. Lots of slate and white-pepper character. Tight and very dense. Full body...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The 2013 Beauséjour (Duffau Lagarrosse) offers impressive intensity given the growing season with crisp and pure dark cherries, raspberry coulis and subtle earthy bordering upon loamy scents. The oak here is nicely...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Cellar Selection. With ripe, spicy fruit, this is a concentrated, dense wine. It has young, firm tannins that are beginning to integrate with the juicy black fruits and fine, perfumed acidity. This is a serious wine...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: (93–95 points) Barrel Sample. This wine has power and firm, extracted tannins that are so dry and layering, they cut right through the blackberry fruit. It is dense, showing rich fruitiness and a firm texture, as well as...
Vinous, 92 points: (90-92 points) The 2013 Rouget is wonderfully dark and fleshy in the glass. Sweet, layered and impeccable, the 2013 impresses for its depth and juiciness. The new oak is a bit present at the moment, but that should not be...
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