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.
Neal Martin's Wine Journal, 92 points: (NM90-92 points) Tasted at JP Moueix. The Latour-a-Pomerol has a more backward nose compared to its peers. Natural blackberry and raspberry fruit, wild hedgerow with subtle dried herb notes emerging with time in the...
View From The Cellar, 96 points: The 2011 Trotanoy is one of the wines of the vintage and an absolute classic in the making. The deep, pure and utterly brilliant nose soars from the glass in a blaze of red and black plums, black cherries, woodsmoke...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: So smooth, this is a rich, grandiose wine. Although it is full of black currant fruits and spice flavors, the texture is most impressive. Dusty tannins are integrated with juicy fruits seamlessly. The purest fruit flavors...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: (WE94-96 points) Big and powerful this is a wine that is supported by dense tannins. The feeling is dry and firm with a brooding black-currant character.
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: The wine is immensely dark powered by black plum and a ripe complex structure. Already the elements are molding into place. Expect great things of this wine. - R.V.
View From The Cellar, 96 points: Christian Moueix explained that 2011 was the first vintage where the harvesting was organized here to target old vines of a similar age to be picked together, as he went along with the harvesters pointing out which...
Neal Martin's Wine Journal, 96 points: (NM94-96 points) Tasted at the property, Denis Durantou cannot really do wrong these days. The l’Eglise-Clinet 2011 was cropped between 12th and 15th September and the Cabernet Franc on 24th September, a blend of 90%...
Wine Enthusiast, 93 points: (WE91-93 points) A smooth, rounded wine, this shows opulence with its rich blackberry fruit.
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: The wine shows the power typical of a Lafite but within the context of the fruity 2011 vintage. The immensely dense tannic structure gives the wine a solid feel that is lifted by so much ripe black currant and berry...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: As so often with Montrose, this is a powerful, concentrated and very structured wine. Dense tannins are paired with rich black fruits, although at this stage the wine also has a sense of austerity. Power, severity and...
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, 91 points: This is a blend of grapes from different growers in Pomerol rather than a second wine of Château Clinet. It is made to be drunk young with its smooth tannins, generous texture and ripe Merlot fruits. It feels rich and...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Despite the huge weight of fruit and accompanying structure, this is a stylish wine. It's impressively dense, concentrated and solid. At the same time, the juicy black fruits give a generous, full-in-the-mouth character...
Wine Spectator, 96 points: This is succulent with an almost jammy cassis plum and black currant profile though that's quickly harnessed by riveting acidity on the finish which lets additional floral bay leaf tobacco and perfume notes play out...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: This wine is big dense and impressive with plenty of concentration as well as acidity. It is balanced bringing the big ripe black-fruit flavor and firm tannins together with great style. - R.V.
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