Your guide to Bordeaux Wine
It is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes a wine lover could ever imagine. Orderly rows of manicured vines – gnarled with age, literally growing right up to the walls of their medieval cobble stoned, picture perfect villages.
Bordeaux has more acres of vineyards than the entire geographical area of Germany. No other region produces such a massive quantity of wine, with such a varying scale of quality. Here you will find many of the wealthiest wine labels on the planet. Legendary producers like Petrus, d’Yquem, Mouton Rothschild, Angelus, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Cheval Blanc, Latour, Lafite Rothschild and the list goes on. With over 10,000 producers, 60 different appellations, and a complex classification system that dates back to 1855, the wines of Bordeaux can be hard to navigate for anyone. But with a small amount of knowledge, we can help you buy some great wines you’ll enjoy, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to do that!
Every year, we hold an Annual Bordeaux Container Wine Sale. Not so in 2020... due to the Global Pandemic we simply couldn’t get the wine! Last year was challenging with pressures on shipping schedules, but we managed to pull it off, and this year may well go down as our greatest yet! These past couple of years have created a shortage here on this side of the world, and in many other parts too. This will no doubt mean less wine for consumers to purchase, with many Retailers and Distributors focusing on wines produced closer to home. But in times like this when you can’t go to the home of the wine, we believe it's important to bring the wine to you!
Our Bordeaux drinking customers can relax at last, with our greatest ever selection across more sub-regions than usual, and more vintages than normal. We’ve spent months working with our suppliers to bring you our spectacular Annual Bordeaux Container Sale. After extensive research we accepted over 100 samples that our expert tasting panel whittled down to a final list of forty-five wines. We ship direct ex Chateaux cutting out the middleman, ensuring the prices are kept as low as possible and shipped it "1st Class" in a temperature-controlled container to guarantee the wines arrive at Fine Wine Delivery in in the FRESHEST condition. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you with any questions you may have, and of course you can feel confident in your purchase backed by our 27-Year Industry Benchmark 30-day money back guarantee!
WHAT MAKES BORDEAUX SO SPECIAL?
With a rich winemaking heritage dating back almost 2000 years to Roman times, this is where the key varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot originated. 90% of the wine made here is a Red Blend comprised of the six red varietals allowed by Bordeaux legislation – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere. The term ‘Bordeaux Blend’ is so famous now, it is used globally to describe a red wine comprising any of these key varietals. But what sets a Bordeaux wine apart from this generic title used elsewhere, is their inimitable structure and style.
Medium to full-bodied with loads of black fruit and minerality, that leads into an undeniably savoury structure with mouth-drying tannins. Those trademark tannins are often high enough for the wines to age for decades, and it’s their age-worthiness that has often seen the investment values on these wines skyrocket. And it’s because of their age-worthiness we urge our customers not to get too worried about which vintage of a wine they should buy. Bordeaux wines even from lesser vintages can unfold into something quite remarkable with time.
2016 Bordeaux is drinking superbly now, but even after 8-years is still youthful and will continue to evolve with more cellaring. 2017 saw devastating early frosts, making supply a huge issue. However, there are some gems to be found from that year too. And then we struck the trifecta of warm vintages - 2018, 2019, and now 2020. They are riper and more approachable than previous years, but you can still enjoy a wonderful cellar surprise with just five to ten years under their belts. 2021 is sandwiched between the aptly hyped 2020 & 2022 vintages but yielded many super wines at more widely accessible prices so don't overlook them.
A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE AREA…
No doubt you will have heard people mention the Left and Right Bank, and in simple terms this refers to which side of the Gironde Estuary these sub regions reside. They both run different classification systems, making it hard to pick out their similarities., so let’s look at what’s different about each side… and that comes down to terroir – more specifically soil!
- The Left Bank.
Here the famed Medoc region reigns supreme with its legendary sub-regions of Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estephe, Margaux, Haut Medoc and Pessac-Leognan. This area is ranked by the official Bordeaux Classification of 1855 that Napolean III introduced to sort producers by importance and quality – the system that ranks them First through to Fifth Growths. With gravelly, ancient river soils, this is where Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blends creating wines with greater power and tannin.
- The Right Bank.
Saint-Emilion with its rich clay soils and limestone hillsides, and Pomerol with its gravels, are the most well-known sub regions. This side of the river does not adhere to the 1855 Classification, with many of its regions refusing to be ranked at all. Typically known for rich, bold red wines filled with fleshy ripe fruit, you’ll find mostly Merlot dominant blends on this side of the River. If you’re looking for a more plush and approachable style the Right Bank might suit you better.
- Satellite Appellations.
There is plenty to love about Bordeaux wines outside of the Left and Right Banks, with some of the best value wines coming from the satellite appellations surrounding the two more prestigious and well-known areas. Keep your eyes peeled for the notable sub-regions of Lalande de Pomerol, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Superieur, Cotes de Castillon, Haut-Medoc, Fronsac and of course Entre-Deux-Mers. The latter is is the sub-region that sits smack in the middle where the main body of water ends. It is a very apt translation of “Between Two Tides”, and here you will find both white and red grapes grown, in a combination of both soil types.
FOOD MATCHING
Cabernet Sauvignon works well with rich grilled meats, peppery or creamy sauces, and big powerful flavours in general. Its high acid and tannin structure cut through fat content so meats like beef or lamb are ideal. Similarly Cabernet can cut through fat in a creamy sauce, butter and hard cheeses. And if you’re not a meat eater than steer towards the heartier veges – Portobello mushrooms and Cabernet are a match made in heaven!
Merlot is an ideal food wine. It sits smack in the middle of the red wine spectrum and due to its softer acidity and medium weight tannins, it is incredibly versatile. The obvious food choices also sit in the middle weight category like duck, turkey and really lean cuts of beef. It will also pair well with chicken and other lighter meats, as well as lightly spiced dark meats. Great for roasted vegetables or char grilled eggplant, or a classic Ratatouille.
Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its high acidity makes it a match for rich tomato based dishes or vinegar based sauces (ideal for low and slow bbq), and great with rich legumes like lentils or black beans.
The remaining varietals are used as minor components, each offering their own nuances but seldom in large quantities. Petit Verdot offers a lot of structure. It is big on tannin and acid, with floral aromas and a gravelly minerality. Carmenere is medium bodied with lower tannin, but high in acidity with a unique herbaceous flavour reminiscent of peppercorn. And Malbec is fuller bodied but with lighter tannins and a shorter finish than Cabernet Sauvignon.
It might be cliché but it really is true, that a Bordeaux wine is at its best enjoyed with a good cut of steak and a large side of duck fat potatoes!
A FEW QUICK PICKS
There’s an extensive list of wines available in this sale, and we can’t spend all day harping on about them all. Instead, we’ve picked a handful of fantastic buys across all prices to give you some inspiration to get shopping!
Chateau Roc de Villepreux Bordeaux Superieur 2021 - This is a superb value Bordeaux Red from the often under rated vintage, and at just $17.99 you can afford to drink it regularly. What a beauty, a stunning, juicy 2021 Bordeaux Superieur Merlot/Cab blend that will win everyone over. Plush, plump and instantly gratifying and what's more its organic, good for us and the planet! $17.99
Chateau Haut Mouleyre Bordeaux 2020 - We reviewed this commercially priced Triple Gold Medal winning Oak Barrel Merlot Cabernet blend and unanimously agreed it was outrageous value. The fruit simply leaps from the glass. Although commercially priced this is their higher tier, matured in oak barrels adding superb dimension to the lavish fruit, more serious on every level. $21.99
Chateau Senejac Haut-Medoc 2020 - A very impressive Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot blend from Haut-Medoc... eliciting a 93/100 from James Suckling and 94/100 FWD Tasting Panel. A complex, bold, yet refined Bordeaux red delivering an outstanding introduction to those new to Bordeaux... and will prove irresistible to Bordeaux veterans at $39.99.
Chateau de Pressac St-Emilion 2019 - 94/100, James Suckling mirrored with 94/100 Decanter saying... "Intense nose of dark chocolate an espresso, with layers of red and dark fruit complexity. Juicy and elegant palate. Blend: 71% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon." Outstanding St Emilion Chateau where the "End of 100-years' War Treaty" was signed. Magnificently terraced bio-dynamically managed vineyards. A favourite of ours at $83.99!
Fabulous value Bordeaux Dessert...
Chateau Haut Mouleyre Cadillac AOP 500ml - Double Gold & 92/100 Wine Enthusiast. The flavours are instantly consuming, like creamed butter, sugar with honey and a dusty vanilla oak layering, wonderful on every level. Not overtly sweet as the oak adds a nutty nuance but the palate is rich, creamy and dreamy, finishing with a crystalline acid thread. Better than dessert, open a bottle and serve. Brilliant value at $24.99!
Many people dismiss the magic of Bordeaux. They focus on the expensive wines that only a few can afford, and they get put off by its complexity. But to do so would be missing out on something truly wonderful. Bordeaux Blends are a classic example of the philosophy that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. It is an important timeline for the evolution of winemaking, a glimpse into a time-honoured tradition where generations have tended vines and crafted beautiful wine, with centuries of intimate knowledge of their unique terroir. The rest of the winemaking world envies their knowledge, and as consumers we can embrace the journey by seeking out their wines and enjoying the fruits of their labour.
So come in store this month and learn all about these wonderful French Red Wines with our insightful tastings, or shop online with confidence that the best French Bordeaux has been sourced for you at every price point. But most importantly, enjoy them with family, friends and food…just as the French would!
