Bordeaux, France, is home to some of the best — and best-known — wine estates in the world, which have set the benchmarks for fine wine dating back to the mid-19th century. Today, Bordeaux still impacts high-end wine production around the globe.

The region of Bordeaux is expansive, with over 271,000 acres of vineyards, 65 appellations, and over 9,000 Châteaux. No wonder many of our customers get overwhelmed when trying to find a great bottle from this region!

To help you buy the right Bordeaux for your cellar or collection, our wine experts share the best advice for buying and enjoying these fine wines. Keep reading for some of the most important information to know, such as: 

• The primary Bordeaux wine grapes and regions
• Key terms to look for on a label
• Understanding the Cru Classé system
• How to pick out a great Bordeaux
• Reasonable prices you can expect to pay
• Whether you should age a Bordeaux wine
• Fantastic food pairing ideas
• How to get your hands on some amazing Bordeaux wine 

Familiarize Yourself with the Primary Bordeaux Wine Grapes and Regions

French law requires wines with an official Bordeaux label to be made with certain types of grapes. The most common red wines from Bordeaux consist of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, and they’re often a blend of the two. For white wine, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the most common grape varieties.

However, depending on where a winery is situated in Bordeaux, there may be more or less of a certain grape in the blend, and this has an impact on the taste and flavors.

A large river divides the Bordeaux wine region, naturally creating two primary sub-regions. These are referred to as the Left Bank and the Right Bank.

On the Left Bank lies the Médoc region, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme. Some of the finest, most distinctive, and most age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world come from here. They are often also blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

On the Right Bank, Merlot is the dominant grape variety. Many wines from here mostly contain a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc, or they can be 100% Merlot. While may also contain a percentage of the other red wine grapes grown in the area (Cabernet Sauvignon or Petit Verdot) the most common blends are Merlot-dominant with Cabernet Franc.

Beyond these primary areas lie additional regions within Bordeaux, with some of the best wines coming from Graves and Sauternes. Here, white wines are often the star of the show. Most whites are made from Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon, or a blend of the two. Semillon can be made into sweet, honeyed wine called Sauternes, which is excellent for sipping after dinner.

Identify the Key Terms to Look for On a Bordeaux Wine Label

When you look at a Bordeaux wine label, a few important terms will tell you a bit more about the wine, where it came from, and its quality level.

In France, strict rules govern the quality and winemaking process of each wine region. This ensures that all wines from the area are representative of the region and adhere to standards of high quality.

If a wine meets the basic criteria for the overarching Bordeaux region, the label will state AOC or AC on it, such as Bordeaux AOC or Bordeaux Superieur AC. The term “Superieur” can be included if the wine meets additional standards of vineyard yields and alcohol levels.

Within Bordeaux, there are smaller districts with their own names and unique styles of winemaking. If a wine follows the criteria for its district, or appellation, the label will include this name on it too

Some examples of well-known appellations you may see on labels are: Médoc, St. Estephe, Margaux, Paullac, St. Emilion, Pomerol. These appellations are located throughout the Left and Right Banks, and each is known for unique characteristics. For example, Pomerol has a reputation for making refined, powerful, and intense red wines with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Médoc produces structured, robust reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

Understanding the Bordeaux Cru Classé System of Quality and Prestige

Wines from Bordeaux can also have a Cru Classé designation on their label. According to Vin de Bordeaux, the council representing the Bordeaux wine industry:

“Bordeaux introduced the concept of classification in 1855 under Napoleon III, and it now serves as an expression of quality and prestige worldwide. The principle of the crus classés (“classified growths”) perfectly illustrates the synthesis of a terroir’s typical characteristics and dedicated human intervention over many generations to ensure quality.

It should be emphasized that a wine or appellation can still be outstanding even if it is not a part of these classifications!”

If a wine label includes one of these Cru Classé names, that means the estate has been named in one of the special classifications for its region. Each region has its own classification using slightly different terminology. Here are some general rules to help you look for the right terms.

In the Left Bank region Médoc, you’ll see the term Premier Cru for the Grand Cru Classes En 1855 classification appearing on high-end bottles coming from the very best estates, which are:

• Château Haut-Brion, Pessac, AOC Pessac-Léognan
• Château Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac, AOC Pauillac
• Château Latour, Pauillac, AOC Pauillac
• Château Margaux, Margaux, AOC Margaux
• Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, AOC Pauillac

In the Right Bank, the Saint-Emilion Classification denotes Premiers Grands Crus Classés and Grands Crus Classés on top quality bottles, such as these top Châteaux:

• Château Angelus (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
• Château Cheval Blanc (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
• Château Figeac (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
• Château Ausone (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
• Château Pavie (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
• Château Balestard la Tonnelle (Grand Cru Classé)

The Graves Classification is another regional category noting the Crus Classés de Graves for the estates of the Graves appellation, including these top Châteaux:

• Château Haut-Brion, Pessac
• Château La Mission-Haut-Brion, Talence
• Château Haut-Bailly, Léognan
• Domaine de Chevalier, Léognan
• Château Smith-Haut-Lafite, Martillac
• Château Laville-Haut-Brion, Talence 

 These are just samples from three of the classification systems in Bordeaux. For the full list of classified chateaux, check out the list on the Vin de Bordeaux website.

A Quick Guide to Picking Out a Great Bordeaux Wine

Many factors go into the production of a great Bordeaux wine, such as the quality of the vintage, the winemaker, the region. And each year, hundreds of winemakers produce wines in the area, making it hard to keep track of the top bottles from each vintage. However, there are a few factors you can look at to get a better idea of what to expect from your bottle.

• Great vintage: Thanks to changes in temperature and climate, each year can produce vast differences in grape quality and the resulting wine. Expert wine collectors keep track of the best and “worst” vintages for a region, so they can select the best bottles. Some of the top Bordeaux producers don’t even bottle the wine if the vintage isn’t up to their standards. However, even “lesser” vintages can produce great options that our buyers still recommend. These years offer wines with better prices that are great to drink when they’re young, so definitely don’t rule them out. For reference, some great vintages in recent Bordeaux history include: 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000.

• Consistent producer: There are a lot of winemakers in Bordeaux, but it helps to know a handful of reliable producers who consistently make exceptional wine. While many high-end producers sell bottles upwards of $300, they often have additional labels that retail for much less, providing a great option for everyday drinking. Wally’s experts recommend these great Chateaux that we always try to keep in stock: 

Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Château Lynch Bages, Pauillac
Château Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan
Château Cos D'Estournel, Saint-Estephe
Château Plince, Pomerol (great value!)

To get started, we recommend 2014 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan, a powerful wine — made by a top-notch estate in Graves — that will age for a long time. Look for complex tannins, dark fruits, with ripeness and a dense structure. Another great find (with a large following) is 2017 Pauillac de Chateau Latour, Pauillac. It’s made with the expertise and attention to detail Chateau Latour is known for, but it’s ready to drink young and at a fraction of the price.

What’s a Reasonable Price to Expect When You Buy Bordeaux Wine?

The price of Bordeaux wine can vary widely. You can find some great entry-level bottles at the very reasonable price of $20, or you can splurge on a rare vintage from a Premier Cru for $500.

The vintage, ratings, and producer can all affect a wine’s price, but other factors like cult status can have an impact, too.

At Wally’s, our experts try to stock both affordable and high-end selections from our favorite producers, so you can usually find a great option at any price point.

Do You Always Need to Age Bordeaux Wine?

Some wines from Bordeaux can benefit from aging in your cellar, while others are ready to drink right away.

The age-worthy bottles tend to come from the best vintages. They also have strong, structured tannins and deep, concentrated flavors that will become smoother and more integrated over time. These wines have the potential to age and improve for decades in the cellar. If you look up the producer’s wine description, they’ll often note whether the wine should be cellared and for how long.

Of course, not every bottle of Bordeaux needs to be aged. Some Merlot-dominant blends, especially the fresher, fruitier, and lighter styles, are great to enjoy right away. In addition, a younger wine may be a perfect pairing for a rich, hearty meal.

Fantastic Food Pairing Ideas For Your Bottle of Red or White Bordeaux

Speaking of meals, Bordeaux wines lend themselves well to being drunk alongside great food and company. They can bring out a range of flavors in different foods, when paired correctly.

White Bordeaux tends to be dry, refreshing, and acidic, making it a great pairing for mixed green salads, cheeses, oysters, scallops, risotto, salmon, pork, sushi, lobster, and grilled vegetables.

Red Bordeaux is usually full-bodied, with velvety tannins and notes of dark berries, spices, chocolate, and oak. These wines tend to work well with charcuterie, burgers, duck, hearty braises, lamb, steak, and game.

Want to Get Your Hands on Some Amazing Bordeaux Wine?

If you’re excited to let your tastebuds experience the best flavors of Bordeaux wine, one great way to start is by browsing Wally’s collection of fine Bordeaux wines on our website.

You can also contact our Customer Service and speak to an informed representative who can help you pick out the perfect bottle.

Finally, we invite you to join us in person at Wally’s to try any number of our Bordeaux wines available by the glass or bottle. We also hold regular in-store tastings where you can explore a variety of wines and identify your favorites.