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, 93 points: Attractive red berries and light licorice notes with a lick of iodine lead to a palate that has plenty of red-fruit and -licorice flavors. Smoothly groomed tannins and a fresh cherry-pip finish. Try from 2020.
Vinous, 88 points: The 2015 La Closerie de Fourtet is silky, perfumed and quite pretty. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, dried cherry and mint grace this second wine of Clos Fourtet.
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Such a beautiful and complex nose of rose petals, dark fruit and sandalwood. Full-bodied, juicy and flavorful. A precise linear edge to this runs through the wine. Very fine tannins. Yet this is so powerful. Love it...
jebdunnuck.com, 92 points: The 2015 Château Soutard shows plenty of oak, yet offers ample crème de cassis, toasted spice, raspberry jam and licorice aromatics. Medium-bodied, supple and polished on the palate, with ripe tannin, tons of charming...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: This has a captivating interplay of depth and elegance. On the nose, it has very pure fresh raspberry and red plums set in a smoothly arranged, plush layered bed of ripe tannins that carry long blackberry and mulberry...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Beautiful aromas of plums and filtered coffee follow through to a full body. Firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Bright acidity and spice character. Tight and focused. Needs two or three years to open.
Decanter, 93 points: I love the enticing nose on this wine, and the dark rich fruit is bright on the attack. You can definitely see the success of this vintage. Oak influence is a little strong on the finish - it's only 30% new oak, but the...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Solid tannins mark this still very young wine. At the same time, the fruit is rich and well proportioned. Black currants dominate the fruity spectrum, giving the wine richness as well as great potential. Drink from 2025...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2015 Vray Croix de Gay is just as alluring from bottle as it was from barrel. Inky, powerful and explosive, the 2015 exudes richness in all of its dimensions. Blueberry jam, crème de cassis, licorice, menthol, spice...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Petrus (bottled in mid-July 2017) opens in its own time to reveal crushed black cherries, warm plums, mulberries and cedar chest suggestions with touches of anise, lavender...
Vinous, 94 points: The 2015 de Malle has a perfumed bouquet with clear honey, acacia and orange blossom aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with clean, pure honeyed fruit laced with ginger and orange rind...
jamessuckling.com, 100 points: Blue fruits, minerals, lavender and licorice aromas are wonderful. Full body and ultra-refined tannins with an integration and refinement that make the wines seamless and beautiful. The powerful tannins hide from you at...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: Intensity and clarity of fruit is so insane. Blackberries, spices such as cloves, blueberries, sandalwood and dried lavender. Full body and such a beautiful, dense center palate with perfectly polished tannins. Extremely...
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