A Brief Guide to Choosing The Perfect Bordeaux Wine

Bordeaux wines are renowned worldwide for their exceptional quality, complexity, and longevity. Located in the southwest of France, the Bordeaux region has long been considered the epicenter of fine winemaking, producing some of the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.

Why Bordeaux wines are considered the best

The reputation of Bordeaux wines is built upon centuries of winemaking tradition, a unique terroir, and the dedication of generations of passionate vintners. The region is home to numerous iconic chateaux, each with its own distinct character and legacy. Some of the most famous names in Bordeaux include Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, and Château Petrus, all of which have consistently produced world-class wines that have captivated wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The Bordeaux region is divided into several renowned appellations, each with its own distinct characteristics. One of the most prestigious is the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, located on the right bank of the Dordogne River. This area is renowned for its exceptional Merlot-based wines, which often exhibit a rich, velvety texture and complex flavors of dark fruit, spice, and subtle oak. 

Explore the Lacbleu Archive In case you're interested and have a fancy indulging in a bit of wine history, take a look at the Lacbleu Archive of wine auction catalogues. There you can explore, free of charge, many of the most famous wines that have ever been sold in a selection of  auction catalogues going back almost 40 years. In them you can read all about the châteaux, the varieties and the astonishing sales histories of some of the world's most cherished wines.

Understanding the varieties and their characteristics

Bordeaux wines are primarily made from a blend of grape varieties, with the most common being Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The specific blend used can vary significantly depending on the region, the vintage, and the winemaker's style.

On the left bank of the Gironde estuary, the wines are typically dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which lends them a more structured, tannic profile with flavors of black fruit, cedar, and graphite. These wines, such as those from the Médoc and Graves appellations, are often described as having a more "masculine" character and are known for their ability to age gracefully for decades.

In contrast, the right bank wines, such as those from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, tend to be more Merlot-dominant, resulting in a softer, more approachable style with ripe, velvety tannins and flavors of plum, mocha, and spice. These wines are often considered more "feminine" in character and can be enjoyed at a younger age.

The art of blending is crucial in Bordeaux, as it allows winemakers to create a harmonious and consistent flavor profile year after year. By carefully selecting and combining the different grape varieties, they can achieve a balance of power, elegance, and complexity that is the hallmark of great Bordeaux wines.

There is so much information available about the grape varieties that are grown across the whole Bordeaux region, as well as all the individual appellations at the official Vins de Bordeaux website. If you're interested in matching food and wine you might also want to take a look at their fantastic Food And Wine Pairings tool for endless inspiration.

Avoiding the 'cheap wine' pitfall

Of course everyone likes to get a good deal - especially the joy of finding a great wine at a good price. However, while it's tempting to opt for the cheapest Bordeaux wine on the supermarket shelf, this approach may not always yield the best results. Bordeaux is a region with a vast range of quality and pricing, and the old adage "you get what you pay for" often holds true.

The production of high-quality Bordeaux wines is a labor-intensive and costly process, involving meticulous vineyard management, careful harvesting, and precise winemaking techniques. Châteaux that have earned a reputation for excellence often command premium prices, reflecting the investment and expertise that goes into their wines.

Choosing a cheap Bordeaux wine, on the other hand, may result in a disappointingly thin, unbalanced, or overly tannic experience. These wines may have been produced using less-than-optimal grapes, rushed fermentation, or subpar oak aging, resulting in a lack of depth, complexity, and overall enjoyment.

According to Bibendum Wine's Vinomics analysis, the typical £5.50 bottle of wine will contain just 21 pence of wine - which means that just 3.8% of the cost you pay actually goes on the wine you will drink. All the rest will go on duties, VAT, packaging, shipping and profit for the manufacturer.

However, spend £10 bottle and you will get £2.48 of wine, which now represents 25% of the total cost. Spending £20 will get you £6.67 of wine, which is around 33% of the cost of the bottle. So you can see that, in general, the more you pay, the disproportionately more will be spent on the wine you hope to enjoy.

To truly appreciate the nuances and elegance of Bordeaux wines, it's worth investing a little more in a bottle from a reputable producer or a well-regarded vintage. At Lacbleu, the lowest grade Bordeaux wine we offer is our fantastic Bordeaux Supérieur. The Bordeaux Supérieur distinction ensures the use of older vines, strict ripeness levels upon harvest, smaller harvests of higher quality grapes, minimum alcohol levels and a 12-month minimum barrel aging requirement. Read more here about the differences on robertparker.com.

While the initial cost may be higher, the rewards of a well-crafted Bordeaux can be immensely satisfying, with layers of flavor, a harmonious structure, and the potential to evolve and improve over time.

Take time to discover Bordeaux for yourself

Bordeaux wines are the pinnacle of winemaking, offering a diverse range of styles and flavors that have captivated wine enthusiasts for centuries. By understanding the region's prestigious appellations, the importance of blending, and the potential pitfalls of cheap wines, you can navigate the world of Bordeaux with confidence and discover the true essence of these exceptional vintages.

Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious newcomer, exploring the rich tapestry of Bordeaux wines is a journey worth embarking on. With a little knowledge and an open palate, you can unlock the secrets of this legendary region and savor the timeless elegance and complexity that have made Bordeaux wines the benchmark for fine winemaking around the world.