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.
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: (WE93-95 points) A rich and structured wine, this combines both the ripeness of mature Merlot and a solid, dry texture. It's full, with a good future.
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: A refined and pretty wine for the vintage with a salty, chalky and mineral character on the nose and palate. Medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. This needs two or three years to soften. Better in 2020.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The 2013 La Petite Eglise, which Denis Durantou poured from magnum since this is how the entire production was bottled, has a precise and fragrant bouquet with crushed stone scents filtering through the red berry fruit...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 92 points: (AG89-92 points) The 2013 Fleur Cardinale is a huge wine. Blood orange, pomegranate, white pepper and bright red cherries all explode from the glass. Unapologetically rich and intense, the 2013 is beautifully layered and...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Structured and dense, this wine revels in its tension and tight texture. While there are plenty of black fruits, the dry core of tannins and the rich, perfumed character show this wine’s best quality. It is well...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The 2013 Beauséjour (Duffau Lagarrosse) offers impressive intensity given the growing season with crisp and pure dark cherries, raspberry coulis and subtle earthy bordering upon loamy scents. The oak here is nicely...
Wine Spectator, 91 points: (WS88-91 points) Lightly tangy in feel, with damson plum and star anise leading the way for black cherry and blackberry fruit. Offers well-integrated toast, with a juniper note threading everything together and a...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: This is a phenomenal white with super density and energy. Full body, yet incredibly agile and intense. Fabulous character of salt, mineral and shells. Hints of tannin too. Dried white peach. Pear and apple. Super subtle...
Wine Enthusiast, 93 points: Ripe and tropical, this full-bodied wine conveys mango, quince and ripe white peach that accompany a rich texture. It’s going to develop relatively quickly, so drink from 2018. Winemaker Stephan Carrier returned from...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: (WA92-94 points) The wine is opaque purple, shows notes of blueberries, incense, camphor and black berry fruit, with licorice and charcoal notes. Complex aromatics are followed by a medium to full-bodied surprisingly...
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