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, 98 points: Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: A tightly coiled rich wine that has great acidity as well as a lively structure. Touched by spice from wood aging as well as intense citrus, it is fruity, firm and strongly textured. Drink this impressive still-young wine...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: This is tightly coiled now, but the range of juicy tangerine, white peach and white ginger notes should unfurl soon enough, carried by a mouthwatering quinine note and ending with a light orange blossom hint on the...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: (JS 97-98 points) Lots of white peach and red apple with crushed-stone and pine-needle undertones. Full-bodied, yet compact and linear with beautiful toffee, light caramel, praline and nougat character to the fruit...
Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: (WE 96–98 points) This is a beautiful white wine in its balance and in its elegantly textured fruit and acidity. With richness balanced by the wine's crisp green fruits, there is complexity and depth here that gives the...
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: Really fresh and tangy with beautiful crushed-berry and spice character and just a hint of stone. Fresh and beautiful. No wood. Some amphora. A blend of 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. Drink now.
Wine Spectator, 89 points: A plump rounded style with friendly brioche white peach and floral notes offset by a hint of melon rind that keeps the finish balanced. Drink now. 500 cases made. -JM
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: (98-99 points) A super white with dense mango, lemon and lime, as well as some clove and nutmeg. Full-bodied, really complete and long. Sensational. So much potential here. 66% sauvignon blanc and 34% semillon.
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: Incredible clarity and freshness with minerals, lemons, chalk and steel. It’s so racy and exciting. Changes to white peaches and mangoes. Just flies at the end of the palate. Super subtle. Delicate yet agile and powerful...
Wine Enthusiast, 93 points: A fine combination of wood and ripe, tropical fruits lead to a crisp, fruity more herbaceous core. There is a great balance between this richness and citrus herbaceousness. It will certainly age several years. ROGER VOSS
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: (95-96 points) This is full-bodied with layers of fruit. Ripe and flavorful. Lots going on with a fleshy feel. No malolactic this year. Sweet peach, honeysuckle and citrus. Contrastive. 52% sauvignon blanc, 14% sauvignon...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Complex aromas of sliced apples, honey, pineapple and honeysuckle with hints of stones. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a beautiful finish. Intense and powerful. A combination of density and power. What a great...
Decanter, 91 points: Citrus and white pear fruits form the major character of the wine, all wrapped up in a tight spine of mouthwatering minerality. Great stuff. Around half of the planting Sauvignon Blanc is from Sancerre genetics. 20% new...
Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: (WE 96–98 points) This classic white wine reveals impressive potential as it unfolds. Along with its enveloping white fruits and crisp citrus it also has a wrought texture that will push it forward for the long term. -...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: Very chiseled in feel, this glistens with verbena and tarragon notes, followed by lemon pith and yellow apple core flavors. A zing of fleur de sel drives the talc-dusted finish. A wine of rapier cut and terrific length...
Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: (WE 96–98 points) Tightly textured, this is a wine whose future is assured. With intense white fruits, spice and touches of toast from the wood aging, the wine's concentration and taut character combine richness and...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Rocking stuff, the truly brilliant 2012 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc offers fabulous notes of caramelized citrus, lemon curd and honeysuckle in a laser-focused, tight, gorgeously textured package. This beauty represents a...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 99 points: Green apples, pears, lemon, grapefruit peel, spice, flowers, crushed rocks and stone create the nose. The palate is full, rich, deep and creamy, with endless layers of fresh, ripe, yellow citrus, honeysuckle and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2006 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux has always been one of the pinnacle white releases from this First Growth and at ten years of age, I have no reason to change my mind. It has an exquisite bouquet of lemon curd...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: (93 - 95) There was no malolactic fermentation and no Muscadelle this year—both unusual for Aile d’Argent. Composed of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon (harvested August 30 to September 5), the 2018 Aile d'Argent has...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Exotic aromas of sliced mangoes and green papaya with undertones of pebbles and lemon rind. Full-bodied and dense — showing plenty of phenolic tension — yet this remains vivid and bright. Dried fruits such as apricots and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: Good acids along with hints of earth, buttered citrus and exotic melons are found in this cuvee. - Robert Parker
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Spice from wood aging gives this rich wine its great character. It is supported by the tropical and white fruits. It is developing into a ripe full wine, delicious with its acidity and with its tangy aftertaste. Drink...
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