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.
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 94 points: (92–94 points) This is probably the best vintage of Meyney produced to date. It’s certainly the best wine I’ve tasted from the estate. (And I have tasted wines dating back to 1929!) Vibrant in color with strong aroma of...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: The nose is really glorious with strawberry, wet-earth, blackberry and dark-mushroom character. Full body, a solid core of fruit and beautiful tannins. It’s polished and velvety. Better in 2022 but gorgeous.
Wine Enthusiast, 91 points: The ample fruitiness of this 80% Merlot wine is right up front. It comes from a large 116-acre estate on the extension of the Pomerol plateau. Firm tannins as well as generous black plum and berry fruits are well...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A unique red here with so much floral, bark and dark fruit aromas that follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Lively acidity. Needs two or three years to resolve the . But should come around...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Tight tannins mask the ripe fruit in a wine that is set for long-term aging, so there is a dry core that dominates at the moment. But not for long: the bold black fruits are insistent and are going to be delicious. This...
*Price does not include tariffs. See our Terms & Conditions of Sale.
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The first wine made at the new cellar, the 2014 Château Pédesclaux checks in as 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot aged in 65% new French oak. It's a beautiful wine in the vintage that has awesome purity and precision...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Fantastic aromas of crushed berries, lavender and blueberries. Full-bodied, dense and layered yet always polished and beautiful. Really impressive. Drink in 2020.
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Dark currants and berries with walnuts on the nose. Follows through to a full body, integrated tannins and a gorgeous finish. Exciting. Wow. Drink in 2020.
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: (WE94-96 points) This is a powerful, dark fruited wine, with firm tannins and a dense texture of solid, dry tannins that gives weight. A freshness comes through at the end, making this a finely balanced wine.
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The 2014 Troplong Mondot is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, and this beauty has more intensity, richness, and exuberance than just about every other wine in 2014. A blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Very pretty plum and chocolate aromas with hints of flowers. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a savory finish. An underlying citrus character. Such balance and finesse. Better in 2020.
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: With a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, the wine is nely structured and lled with intense black fruits. It has a dry core that will allow it to age slowly and gently. The wine has juicy acidity, a tightly...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Intense aromas of minerals, chalk, bright cherries and stones. Full-bodied, tight and silky; very linear. Like a straight shot. Give it three to four years to soften. Vibrant is the word.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2014 L'Evangile comes racing out of the blocks on the nose with plenty of black cherry, blueberry, cold stone and black truffle scents, quintessentially Pomerol with impressive delineation and focus. The palate is...
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, 95 points: This cuts a wide swath, with mouthwatering tobacco and warm ganache notes leading the way, followed by a wave of fig, blackberry and black currant preserves. Shows remarkable definition already, even though the...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: The typicity of La Mission is really here. Aromas of iodine, oyster shell, currants and orange peel are evident. Full-bodied, tight and tannic with a muscular and toned texture that holds the wine down at the moment, but...
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...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: (WE93-95 points) This is a serious wine, with dense tannins and concentrated structure. It has strong wood and smoky bacon notes that need to harmonize with the dark plum flavor and ample acidity.
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 95 points: Much better from bottle than barrel, this continues developing nicely. Perfumed, silky, elegant and refined, the smoky, dark, ripe, sweet, fresh, red fruits, spice, earth and tobacco linger and build. Read more...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: The 2014 Tertre Roteboeuf is an exuberant, generous, incredibly sexy wine in a vintage they yielded more classic, straightforward efforts. Boasting a deep ruby/plum color as well as a rockin’ bouquet of espresso...
jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: A step back from the sensational 2015, yet still an incredible wine that checks in near the top of the vintage, the 2014 Clos Fourtet offers an elegant, seductive style as well as perfumed notes of ripe cherries...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: The intensity of plums, spices, mushrooms and black truffles is very impressive. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a savory finish. Delicious second wine already. Better in 2020.
Decanter, 95 points: More proof that St-Julien was making quality wines this year. This one majors on rich fruit extraction, layered over with a heavy dose of tannins that retract their claws just at the right moment. Expect big shoulders and...
Wine Spectator, 97 points: This has dreamy aromas already, with notes of Lapsang souchong tea, smoldering cigar and cold charcoal wafting up from the core of dense yet supple currant, fig and blackberry preserves. A loamy edge thumps through the...
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...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Love the ripe-berry, chocolate and bay-leaf aromas that follow through to a full body, velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Delicious and juicy. Needs time to soften but so good.
Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: (91–93 points) Barrel Sample. This wine has the dusty tannins that are typical of the vintage. Ripe red plums and berries are combined with refreshing acidity on the palate, and lead to a structured and dense nish...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: This is a traditional red with strawberry leaves, lemon rind and wet earth. Very aromatic. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fruity, chocolate and walnut character. Always refined yet powerful. Better in 2022.
Showing results from page 1 of 2 pages total.
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.
I trust JJB 's judgment about wines in general and I trust Alex Shaw's judgment in particular. Although the field is pervaded by hyperbole, JJB and Shaw are always on the mark as to taste, quality, and value.
-Les C., April 2021