What is a Bordeaux Blend? (Grapes Used, Wine Styles, Best Bottles 2024)

A Bordeaux blend wine is crafted using traditional Bordeaux grape varietals. 

It isn’t a legal term used on wine labels - it is used to refer to wines made (anywhere in the world) with a combination of grapes that originated in the Bordeaux wine region. One great example is Meritage wines made in the US.

Let’s explore all about these wines, the best Bordeaux blends, their winemaking, investment potential, and ideal food pairings.

A Quick Overview of Bordeaux Blends

Here is all you need to know about Bordeaux blends: 

What grape varieties constitute a Bordeaux blend?

The red Bordeaux blends are made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec grapes. 

The grape varieties used in white Bordeaux blends are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle.

What are the different types of Bordeaux blends?

The red Bordeaux blends are categorized as:

• Right Bank blends: These are Merlot dominant blends from the right bank appellations of the Gironde estuary.
• Left Bank blends: These are Cabernet-dominant wines produced in the left bank appellations of the estuary. 

 What are the regions that produce Bordeaux blend wines?

Authentic Bordeauxblendsare native to the Bordeaux region of France. Bordeaux-style blends are also produced in the United States (Napa Valley), Canada, Italy, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina.

How does a typical Bordeaux blend taste?

Left Bank Bordeaux blends are firm, powerful, and tannic with intense fruit aromas and flavors. 

The Right Bank Bordeaux blends have spicy fruit notes with a silky, soft, and plush texture. 

White Bordeaux blends possess a citrusy character and herbaceous aromas with good minerality. 

What is Meritage?

Meritage is the trademark name for Bordeaux blends outside France (specifically in the US), and every winemaker must pay a license fee to add the term Meritage to theirlabels.

10 Best Bordeaux Blend Wines of 2024

Here’s a list of some of the best red and white Bordeaux blend wines from around the world:

Let’s look at some great red Bordeaux blends.

1. 2015 Liber Pater ($38,025)

This red blend has intense black fruit, plum, black cherry notes, firm tannin levels, and balanced acidity.

2. 1990 Harlan Estate ($8,112)

Here we have a prestigious red wine from Napa Valley with an effusive bouquet of fruit aromas, cassis notes, and velvety tannins.

3. 2016 Verite Red ($1,268)

This bold Bordeaux wine is a red blend enriched with black currant and red fruit flavors, underscored by dried clove and mint aromas.

4. 2000 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ($1,820)

Here’s an elegant red wine packed with bold fruit notes. This structured wine also offers intense black currant, plum, and cassis aromas. 

5. 2005 Chateau Ausone ($1,683)

This Cabernet Sauvignon blended wine has complex tannin layers offset by rich oak and black fruit aromas. Its palate delivers exquisite black cherry and red fruit flavors.

Here are some beautiful white Bordeaux blends:

6. 2009 Liber Pater Blanc ($4,293)

Here we have a dry white Bordeaux blend with honeyed fruit, nuts, and pineapple notes.

7. 2010 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc ($1,119)

This is a fine Bordeaux white wine with a zesty palate of green apple and nuts, along with an intense floral nose and good acidity.

8. 2011 Chateau Cheval Blanc 'Le Petit Cheval Blanc' White ($228)

Here’s a white Bordeaux wine with fragrant fruit flavors balanced by a nose of lime and pineapple.

9. 2009 Chateau Cos d'Estournel Blanc ($347)

This is an incredible dry white blend with a crisp floral bouquet and fresh grapefruit, herb, and honeysuckle notes.

10. 2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc ($165)

Here we have an exquisite blended wine infused with tropical fruit aromas. It shows potent acidity and intense lime flavors.

Investing in Bordeaux Blends

If you want to invest in some great Bordeaux blends, explore the trusted wine investment company Vinovest. They will help you invest in fine wines with just a few clicks on their website.

Bordeaux blend wines have exceptional aging potential. The reds can be aged in a cellar for over two decades, while the white wines can age for 8-10 years. 

These wines have had historic demand and are actively traded in the secondary market. 

For instance, between 2020 and 2021:

• The 2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild vintage appreciated about 47% in value, from $646 to $1044. 
• The 1993 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc skyrocketed by over 92%, from $148 to $403.    

Bordeaux blends have also been top performers at several wine auctions. 

• In 2019, a 12-bottle lot of 1945 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild was sold for $111,600 at a Sotheby’s auction.
• At a 2010 Christie’s auction, a 6-liter bottle of the 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc was sold for a whopping $304,375.

Serving and Food Pairings for Bordeaux Blends

The red Bordeaux wine blends are best served at 18 degrees Celsius after decanting for half an hour. They pair well with beef, lamb, chicken, and roasted vegetables.

Serve a Bordeaux white wine at 8 degrees Celsius after decanting for 5 to 15 minutes. The ideal food pairings for these whites include seafood, white fish, pasta, and sushi.

Let’s also look at how these delicious wines are made. 

Vinification of Bordeaux Blends

The Bordeaux reds are made from grapes, macerated with their skins on. This lends the wines more body and higher tannin levels. They are fermented in French oak, stainless steel, or concrete vats and aged for at least 12 months.

White Bordeaux blends are produced from white grape juice fermented without maceration. Aging takes place in French oak barrels for a year.

Bordeaux Blend: The Mascot of Quality French Wines 

The best Bordeaux blends are highly collectible and are a must-have in any wine enthusiast’s collection.

If you plan to invest in exquisite Bordeaux blends, check out the Vinovest website and explore a convenient way to buy, store, and sell authentic fine wines from around the world.