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: Wonderfully complex nose in this white with ripe lemon, green papaya, lime peel and lots of ripe yellow peach. Full and focused, it offers a beautiful ripe acidity and silky texture on the palate. Long and precise finish...
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: (98-99) This is a cylinder of dense fruit and phenolic intensity, yet it remains agile and vivid with cooked-apple, honey and cream character, compounding the fantastic texture and structure. A great white with the same...
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...
jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: Among the whites of the vintage, the 2016 Château Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most concentrated, deep, and full-bodied whites out there, offering up a red wine-like structure to go with beautiful notes of white...
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: I loved both these wines, which come from the team at Château Lafleur. Starting with the white, the 2016 Château Grand Village Blanc (two-thirds Sauvignon and one-third Sémillon) is a glorious white that has racy...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: (97-98) This is dense and very structured with phenolic tension and depth. Full-bodied, lightly phenolic with sliced apples, cooked pears and lemons. Lively and intense. Solid as a rock. This is one to watch.
jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: (96-98) The grand vin is the 2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, which is mostly Sauvignon Blanc with 5% each of Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris, that’s being brought up in 50% new French oak. Deeper, richer, yet still...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: A sensational blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon with nearly 14% natural alcohol this superb honeyed effort exhibits orange marmalade lemon custard and exotic tropical fruit notes.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: (WA89-91 points) The La Demoiselle de Sigalas 2014 is the dry white Sémillon (95%) and Sauvignon Blanc (5%) blend from Château Sigalas-Rabaud in Sauternes. It has a very well-defined bouquet with green apple, white peach...
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...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 98 points: Floral with a strong note of pomelo, Meyer lemon and wax, the wine is sweet, juicy and even a bit honeyed. The large percentage of Sauvignon in the blend offers the pop you need. Made from a blend of 80.6% Sauvignon Blanc...
Vinous, 90 points: (IWC88-90 points) Pale straw-green color. Lovely nose projects an intense sauvignon quality with bright white peach and green fig aromas complicated by unripe pear and yellow melon. A bit less thrilling on the palate...
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