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, 97 points: (JS96-97 points) A dense and powerful white with wonderful depth and phenolic tension. Shows very pretty sliced-apple, lemon and pear character. Excellent finish. 90% sauvignon blanc with the rest semillon and sauvignon...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: (WA90-92 points) The La Sémillante de Sigalas 2014, the dry white pure Sémillon blend from Château Sigalas-Rabaud, has an attractive beeswax and pear-skin bouquet that is well defined and focused. The palate is fresh and...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Very attractive honeycomb and lemon-peel nose of some complexity, then there’s a stunning balance of racy acidity and delicate candied lemon fruit on the palate. The finish is very long, clean and intense. Great now but...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: 95+ The Pape Clement 2016 Blanc is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle. It leaps from the glass with gregarious scents of ripe peaches, fresh grapefruit and key lime pie plus...
jamessuckling.com, 91 points: A dense and creamy white showing lots of apple pie cream and honey. Full body with masses of new wood but I like the character. Dried pineapple and apple too. Vanilla aftertaste. Drink now or hold.
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: (WE95-97 points) Rich and smooth, this is an impressively structured and concentrated wine. It has pleasant freshness and a crisp lemon flavor, but that is just a small part of this intensely ripe wine. It should last...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 90 points: Flowers, pomelo, lemongrass and citrus combine perfectly with ample acidity to create a refreshing, lemony wine made from 40% percent Semillon, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle. Due to the frost...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 95 points: Just a knock wine that has everything an aged white Bordeaux needs. It is rich, full bodied, long, complex and loaded with perfectly ripe, yellow citrus, rocks, stones and just a hint of honey. It offers the right balance...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: (WA 91-93 points) The Ferran 2017 Blanc is a little closed on the nose, with delicate yuzu, lemon zest and green mango notes plus grapefruit and crushed rocks hints. The medium-bodied palate has a lovely saline character...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Gunpowder, flint, dried lemons and green apples. Full-bodied, layered and dense. Really top-notch. This will give top Pessac whites a run for the money. Try it.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: The 2016 Clémentin de Pape Clement Blanc reveals suggestions of fresh hay, dried persimmons, pineapple and wild thyme plus a waft of oyster shell. Medium-bodied, crisp and clean, with compelling saline notions, it...
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