Right Bank Bordeaux Region (Best Wines, Left vs Right Bank)

The Bordeaux wine region is naturally divided into Left Bank and Right Bank by an estuary and two rivers. The Right Bank Bordeaux region is located north of the Dordogne river. 

The region is known for its exceptional Bordeaux blend wines made with Merlot, Cabernet Franc  Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot grapes.

Let’s explore the Right Bank Bordeaux appellations, their best wines, investment potential, and the differences between Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux.

Quick Facts About The Right Bank Bordeaux Region

Let’s take a tour of the Right Bank Bordeaux wine region:

What is the terroir of Right Bank Bordeaux like?

The terroir includes red clay with gravel and limestone soils. The terrain is flat, and the vineyard lands are small. The Right Bank has low rainfall and hot summers. The area is also prone to frost, causing damage to the vines and low yields.

What styles of wine are made in Right Bank Bordeaux, and how do they taste?

The Right Bank Chateaux produce mostly red Bordeaux wine styles with complex character, low tannin levels, and mild acidity. Right Bank wine has intense dark fruit, licorice, chocolate, and spice flavors.

Which are the best Right Bank Bordeaux vintages?

Check out these vintages: 1961, 1970, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2020.

What is the Difference Between Left and Right Bank Bordeaux?

The main differences lie in the grapes grown, the terroir itself, the wines made, and the classification of the estates.

• Grapes: Left Bank wine is mainly made with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, while on the Right Bank, Merlot is the dominant grape variety.
• Terroir: The Right Bank is composed of mostly red clay soil. The Left Bank is known for its gravelly soil deposits, giving the vines excellent drainage. The Left Bank vineyard lands are also situated south of the Garonne River, much closer to the ocean than the Right Bank.
• Wine style: The Left Bank Bordeaux wine is robust with higher tannin levels, making it ideal for aging. On the other hand, Right Bank wine has lower tannin levels, resulting in a lower aging potential.
• Bordeaux Wine Classification: The Left Bank Bordeaux ranks the chateaux according to the five-tier 1855 Classification of Bordeaux. The Left Bank also uses the Cru Artisans, Cru Bourgeois, and Cru Classes de Graves classification systems.

On the other hand, the Right Bank uses the 1955 Classification of Saint Emilion, a ranking system for top producers reviewed every 10 years.

The Right Bank Bordeaux Wine Region Appellations

The Right Bank includes two main Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOCs) and other smaller appellations:

• Pomerol: The Pomerol appellation has 900 wine producers and makes excellent investment-worthy wines like Chateau Petrus.

• St Emilion: The St Emilion appellation has over 800 chateaux across the following sub-areas:

  • Montagne-St. Emilion
  • Lussac-St. Emilion 
  • Puisseguin-St. Emilion 
  • St. Georges-St.Emilion

• Other AOCs: The Right Bank also has smaller appellations like:

  • Cotes de Castillon
  • Lalande de Pomerol
  • Fronsac
  • Canon Fronsac
  • Bordeaux Superieur
  • Entre Deux Mers
  • Cotes de Bordeaux

The Best Right Bank Bordeaux Wines To Buy In 2023

These are the most exquisite Right Bank wines to buy this year:

1. 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc Saint Emilion Grand Cru, France ($8,665)

This French wine has fruit, tobacco, and cedar aromas, a firm tannin mouthfeel, and pleasant acidity.

2. 2000 Chateau Ausone Saint Emilion Grand Cru, France ($1,491)

Here is a red Bordeaux wine with black fruit, coffee, and herb aromas. The red blend has a complex palate with ripe fruit and soft tannins.

3. 1961 Chateau Angelus Saint Emilion Grand Cru, France ($1,118)

This Bordeaux blend has notes of black fruit, dried cherry, and cereal on the nose. The palate has overripe fruit and dried tomato notes.

4. 1947 Chateau Pavie Saint Emilion Grand Cru, France ($874)

Here is a red wine with spices, fruit, and soil aromas, along with wood and soft ice cream flavors.

5. 1945 Petrus Pomerol, France ($12,065)

This extraordinary red wine has a rich, jammy nose with raspberry fruit compote aromas and a well-balanced palate of red fruit, spice notes, and a grippy tannin texture.

6. 1982 Le Pin Pomerol, France ($12,018)

This wine has red fruit, mint, and mocha aromas. The palate is silky with ripe fruit and a velvet tannin mouthfeel.

7. 1961 Chateau Lafleur Pomerol, France ($10,879)

Here is an incredible red blend with chocolate and garden aromas. The palate has tangy flavors and a good texture.

8. 1961 Chateau L'Eglise-Clinet Pomerol, France ($1,822)

This Bordeaux wine has a nose of fruit, mushroom, and truffle notes, followed by a smooth, velvety finish. 

Should You Invest in Right Bank Bordeaux Wines?

You can age high-quality Right Bank Bordeaux red wines for at least 10 years. Some investment wines, like Chateau Cheval Blanc, Pavie, Angelus, and Vieux Chateau Certan, can even age for 20 years or longer. 

Other notable wineries that produce fantastic investment wines are Petrus, Chateau Lafleur, and Chateau Ausone.

According to a Liv-ex report, both Left and Right Bank Bordeaux wines have increased by 30% in value in the last six years. 

Right Bank Bordeaux wine performs sensationally at auctions. For example, at Christie’s:

• In 2010, an imperial bottle of the 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc sold for $304,580.
• In 2019, 12 bottles of the 2009 Chateau Pavie sold for $3,750.

Are you thinking of investing in Right Bank Bordeaux wine but not sure how? 

Vinovest, a reputed wine investment platform, is here to help, and all it takes is a few clicks to start investing. 

Add Some Exquisite Right Bank Bordeaux Wines To Your Portfolio

If you are a red wine lover, try a bottle of Right Bank Bordeaux wine. These unique wines have exquisite taste, good longevity, and investment potential. 

For a hassle-free experience of buying, storing, and selling Right Bank Bordeaux wine and other fine wines, check out Vinovest.