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, 92 points: This La Fleur Morange Mathilde is also 100% Merlot, but with the alcohol hitting 13.5% in the 2008 vintage. It is a fabulous effort. Exuberant, hedonistic quantities of white chocolate, black currants, sweet cherries and...
View From The Cellar, 92 points: The 2008 Gruaud-Larose is a classic vintage of this fine St. Julien estate. The bouquet is deep, nascently complex and fairly reserved, as it offers up scents of cassis, dark berries, cigar ash, gravelly soil tones, herbs...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Racy and fresh with a delicious core of mulled plum and fig fruit liberally laced with bright cassis violet and chalk notes. The long mouthwatering finish has nice cut. Merlot Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: A candidate for the "wine of the vintage" Pontet Canet's 2008 boasts an opaque purple color as well as copious aromas of sweet blueberries blackberries and black currant fruit intertwined with lead pencil shavings subtle...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: A wine of the vintage candidate in 2008 Troplong Mondot's offering was produced from yields of 41 hectoliters per hectare and achieved 14.5% natural alcohol. A classic blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Rich wonderfully concentrated wine with ripe apricots green plums touches of toast riding over a structure that is just beginning a long aging process. Give this wine 10 years. This is the last vintage under this name...
Vinous, 96 points: The 2008 Pichon-Longueville Baron has a refined and focused bouquet with classic blackberry, mint and graphite aromas that gather momentum with aeration. The palate is beautifully balanced with pure black fruit, a fine...
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, 98 points: (WE96-98 points) Impressively balanced, with the fruit rich, intense with a golden glow. The acidity is as important as the freshness, giving a delicious lift to the core of dry, concentrated botrytis. Obviously a great...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: In the powerful style of Lynch-Bages, although perhaps less exuberant than usual. Instead the concentration comes from juicy fruit, which gives it the a softer quality. Even so, it still has solid tannins, dense texture...
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Rock-solid with mocha and fruitcake notes nicely melded into the core of dark fig and black currant paste. Graphite and spice linger through the fleshy finish. Merlot. Best from 2012 through 2016. -JM
Wine Spectator, 90 points: Juicy, with kirsch, raspberry and linzer torte notes that pump along nicely, with velvety tannins and a spice box and black tealoaded finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2015. 700 cases made. –JM
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: One of La Dominique's best efforts over recent years their opaque purple-hued 2008 reveals copious quantities of sweet blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with licorice roasted herbs and spice. It is a full-bodied...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: One of the top successes of the vintage this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon 45% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot was harvested between October 8 and 24. The late harvest ensured perfect ripeness as...
Showing 15 of 41 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
Best prices on Bordeaux wine in the U.S. Very friendly staff when we go to warehouse to pick up our wine.
-Bob P., January 2018
Please, close this tab