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, 100 points: 2009 Vintage: Served from an ex-chateau bottle. The 2009 Chateau d’Yquem is one showstopper of a wine and perhaps it is only in a vertical that you realize this is up there among the legendary wines of the past – the 2001...
Wine Enthusiast, 93 points: Ripe and fruity, the wine is a great success. It has juicy berry fruits that are underpinned by the firm tannins and mineral structure. It is full while also crisp: a wine that is deliciously perfumed. Drink from 2024.
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Very attractive, ripe dark berries with a meaty edge that delivers a very compelling wine from the outset. Quite plush and elegant tannins with a smooth, juicy and attractive finish that holds long and is saturated in...
Vinous, 93 points: ($55-$73) Medium ruby-red. Sexy aromas of cherry minerals iron and smoked meat. Juicy and sappy for the year with lovely energy to the concentrated flavors of cherry minerals smoke flowers and earth. Very sophisticated...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: (93–95). Barrel Sample. The wine, a majority of young Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, is structured and firm with solid tannins and layers of black currant. This will be ready to be drink after 2025.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: The 2016 Clémentin de Pape Clement Blanc reveals suggestions of fresh hay, dried persimmons, pineapple and wild thyme plus a waft of oyster shell. Medium-bodied, crisp and clean, with compelling saline notions, it...
Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages, 98 points: Dark tawny. The most uintriging nose Glossy and lively and more intellectual than the other two, Extremely long - a hint of ginger and real zest. Certainly seemed the best of these three without a doubt. Very racy and...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Dark in color with intense aromas of blackberry tar and mineral. Almost minty. Full-bodied with loads of ripe fruit and vanilla bean character. Long and supercaressing. This racy wine has so much going on yet it's subtle...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Very aromatic showing blackberry and currant aromas with some licorice. Full-bodied with supersilky tannins and a rich decadent fruity finish. Caresses the palate. Stylish and opulent. Best after 2011. 10000 cases made...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A very refined red with berries, chocolate and walnuts. Full body and a round, juicy texture. Spicy and salty. Delicious already. Needs two or three years to come together. Second wine of Château Montrose.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: A sensational effort from proprietor Denis Durantou this 2005 is a compelling wine but purchasers should wait at least a decade to begin the magical liquid tour. One of the monumental wines of the vintage it boasts a...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: The 2009 Pape Clement Blanc is an absolutely remarkable wine which is not a surprise given what this historic estate has done in both white and red over the last 20 years. Their white wine an intriguing blend of 40%...
Vinous, 92 points: (89-92 points) The 2015 Tauzinat L'Hermitage is dense, powerful and explosive. A wine of depth and character, the 2015 possesses notable depth throughout. The style is ripe and explosive to the core, yet the 2015 also...
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