Bordeaux
Bordeaux wines
With their elegant appearance and attractive labels, Bordeaux bottles offer a wide range of fruity flavors, from more acidic mineral notes to pungent or astringent tannins and velvety-textured ripe fruit. Bordeaux red wines are balanced, full-bodied or medium-bodied, with aromas of plum, blackcurrant and damp earth. White wines are equally explosive, whether dry, semi-dry, full-bodied or mellow. Vintage and terroir play an important role in the quality of these wines, which boast a total of 57 appellations. In this guide, we'll look at the great wines of Bordeaux and the region's leading wineries
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Bordeaux wines presentation
The city of Bordeaux is often divided along its rivers. The left bank, on the Garonne side, is made up of large marshy plains. Wines here are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. The right bank, north of the Dordogne, produces such well-known appellations as Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac. The area between the two rivers is called "Entre-Deux-Mers". TheBordeaux region is home to a plethora of world-renowned wineries and châteaux. 80% of Bordeaux vineyards produce red wines, with the remainder devoted to dry white wines, rosés, Bordeaux and sparkling wines. Some of Bordeaux's 120,000 hectares of vineyards probably date back to the Roman Empire. There are currently some sixty appellations, some of which are the world's most famous fine wines, while others are smaller, lesser-known châteaux
Overview of the main Bordeaux appellations
Bordeaux wine production is a benchmark for winemakers the world over, thanks to its famous 1855 classification, its many châteaux and the very high quality of its "grands crus". Indeed, it was in the mid-1800s that Bordeaux's red wines acquired their letters of nobility thanks to the official decree known as the "1855 classification". This classification identified the region's best vineyards, ranking them from 1 to 5. These Grands Crus Classés de Bordeaux display the words "Grand Cru Classé" on the bottle label.
-Pauillac: with its 900 hectares of vines wedged between Saint-Julien to the south and Saint-Estèphe to the north, this jewel of the Médoc has retained its unique style. This AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) red wine is distinguished by its full-bodied, unctuous character, with robust tannins that need time to develop. AOC Pauillac boasts three of the 5 grands crus of 1855, including Mouton Rotschild, Lafitte Rotschild and Latour. A sumptuous wine to discover!
-Margaux: this 1100-hectare vineyard offers a wide variety of soils. It is the only Médoc AOC to bear the name of Premier Grand Cru Classé. The wine is appreciated for its fine, aromatic, harmonious style and interesting ageing potential. A unique product not to be missed by lovers of great wines.
-Saint-Julien: producer of the Médoc's most homogeneous red wines, this commune devotes 80% of its 775 ha to crus classés. Soils range from gravel to clay, ideal for the production of exceptional, dense wines. Over time, Saint-Julien wines express a fine, unrivalled smoothness with a velvety, amber color. 11 Saint-Julien appellations have been awarded the title of Grand Cru Classé, including Château Leoville las Cases, Château Ducru Beaucaillou and Château Beychevelle, to name but a few.
-Saint-Emilion: this AOC red wine is full-bodied and structured on the palate, with firm tannins that become rounder with age and are enveloped in a suave nuance. Saint-Emilion is located in the Libournais region, on the right bank of the Dordogne, and produces the Saint-Emilion and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellations. Among the premier grands crus classés A are Château Ausone, Château Angélus, Château Cheval Blanc and Château Pavie.
-Saint-Estèphe: The Saint-Estèphe appellation includes 5 of the Médoc's 62 crus classés. However, the variety of its styles, both robust and fine, combined with the freshness of its finish, make it a sure bet. Second growths include Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose.
-Pessac Léognan: the production area of this most famous Graves appellation lies just south of Bordeaux. Château Haut Brion is the leading producer of the 68 other châteaux in this appellation, which only came into being in 1987. It stands out for its very ancient terroir, which combines quartz, jasper, flint, lydian and more. This gives rise to wines with aromas of fresh fruit, hints of ageing, leather and fleshy mouthfeel. All this is accompanied by a supple attack and exceptional length on the palate.
-Pomerol: The AOC Pomerol vineyards are located near Libourne. The appellation has no official classification. It is, however, famous for its Petrus, one of the rarest and most expensive wines in the world. These full-bodied wines, with their supple, velvety texture and powerful tannins, reveal a rare bouquet and great finesse with age.
-Sauternes: The vineyards of this appellation are located on the left bank of the Garonne, south of Bordeaux. The vineyards are home to such titans as Château d'Yquem, which comprises 17 crus classified as premier and second crus or Petrus. These are prestigious white wines with an opulent style, highly aromatic and a mellow, fat, harmonious body.
Main Bordeaux châteaux: our selection
-Petrus: Classified AOC and benefiting from a highly reputed appellation in the Pomerol region, this estate is owned by the Moueix family. Its 11.4 ha of vines produce one of Bordeaux's most enduring wines. The best vintages reveal their full potential and true essence after three decades of cellaring. The wines of this château are also known for their high prices, due to their mythical status as the wine loved by John Kennedy and their limited availability on the market. These wines are distinguished by their unique style, aromatic complexity, rich flavors and viscosity.
-Lafite Rothschild: This estate covers 107 hectares. It is one of only 4 châteaux to hold the rare and prestigious distinction of premier cru in the 1855 classification. Its highly prized wines are also sold at exorbitant prices on the world market. The wines of this château are appreciated for their complex aromas and elegance.
-Mouton Rotschild: this Rotschild family chateau in the heart of the Médoc was awarded second-growth status in the original 1855 classification. It is one of the few estates to have undergone a classification change, becoming a premier cru in 1973. Its 83 ha vineyard produces flamboyant wines with exotic personality, opulent texture and excellent ageing potential. These are Bordeaux's finest wines, offering the best tasting conditions after 2 to 6 decades.
-Cheval Blanc: this is also a must-see estate that has been at the pinnacle of the Saint-Émilion appellation since its classification as a premier grand cru classé A in 2012. The vineyard covers 39 ha. They produce wines that are accessible younger, yet have a long lifespan of up to 90 years. The secret of this château's wines lies in their complex, powerful perfume, without heaviness, and their supple, velvety texture.
-Angélus: The wines from this château are also among the most prestigious. Classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the 1855 classification, this 27-hectare vineyard produces highly expressive, well-structured, refined, vibrant wines with good ageing potential. These wines can also be enjoyed young, while renewing themselves with age.
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