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.
Vinous, 96 points: The 2014 Pavie Macquin is just as sensual from bottle as it was from barrel. Silky, gracious and expressive, the 2014 has it all. Black cherry, plum, smoke, mocha and a host of dark-toned flavors all blossom in the glass...
Vinous, 92 points: The 2014 Siran has a fresh nose with mint, fennel and sage infusing the black fruit. It gains delineation with time, that mint note ebbing away. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. There is a pleasant...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Spellbinding aromas of flowers such as lilacs and honeysuckle with strawberries and blackberries. Full-bodied, super tight and polished with wonderful finesse and length. Seamless, fine tannins give this endless...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: The purity and complexity of fruit on the nose are really exceptional with blackberries, cloves, nutmeg and stones. Flowers, too! Full-bodied, yet bright and reserved with everything compacted in the center palate...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: This is a traditional red with strawberry leaves, lemon rind and wet earth. Very aromatic. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fruity, chocolate and walnut character. Always refined yet powerful. Better in 2022.
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: Aromas reminiscent of dark chocolate as well as dark fruits and dried herbs. Chalky texture framed by polished tannins, subtle fruit and a tannin-driven finish. Needs at least three years to soften. Drink now.
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: The nose is really glorious with strawberry, wet-earth, blackberry and dark-mushroom character. Full body, a solid core of fruit and beautiful tannins. It’s polished and velvety. Better in 2022 but gorgeous.
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 95 points: Licorice, sweet oak, thyme, flowers, plum and assorted pit fruit make an entrance. On the palate, the wine has a polish to the tannins, sweetness to the fruit and a stony refinement in the finish. This is a vintage of...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Focused and fruity with lots of flowers and blackberry character. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a long and subtle finish. Shows polish and finesse. Better in 2020.
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Extremely perfumed with rose aromas that turn to strawberries and citrus. Some stones, too. Full-bodied, yet reserved and ultra-refined. It goes on for minutes. Power with finesse. Try in 2022 but already a joy to taste.
Vinous, 94 points: Game, smoke, tobacco, licorice and incense run through the 2014 Feytit Clinet, which exudes depth and intensity. Chocolate, gravel and a host of dark-toned fruits nearly bury the tannins. The 2014 saw five days of cold...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The 2014 Tertre Roteboeuf is an exuberant, generous, incredibly sexy wine in a vintage they yielded more classic, straightforward efforts. Boasting a deep ruby/plum color as well as a rockin’ bouquet of espresso...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A unique red here with so much floral, bark and dark fruit aromas that follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Lively acidity. Needs two or three years to resolve the . But should come around...
Vinous, 95 points: Stunning Cabernet Franc-infused aromatics make a strong first impression in the 2014 Petit Gravet Aîné. Just as remarkable from bottle as it was from barrel, it exudes class and finesse. Cool, bracing notes from the Franc...
jamessuckling.com, 100 points: That is fantastic on the nose. OMG! Exuberant aromas of lavender, tobacco, cigar box, violets and slice plums. Medium to full body. It just builds on the palate and goes on forever. Speechless. Such finesse and beauty...
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