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Red Bordeaux blend

Full-bodied red

Red Bordeaux blend: taste & food pairing

Say it: bor-DOH · Also called Bordeaux, Meritage, claret

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and friends blended for balance. Left Bank is Cabernet-led and structured; Right Bank is Merlot-led and plush.

BodyLightFull
SweetnessDrySweet
AciditySoftCrisp
TanninSmoothGrippy
AlcoholLowHigh
Tastes likeblackcurrant, plum, cedar, graphite, tobacco
Alcohol13-14.5%
Serve at60-65°F (16-18°C)
GlassBordeaux glass
Decant?Yes for young or top bottles
What to payBordeaux Supérieur from $15; classified growths $60+

Red Bordeaux is almost always a blend: mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The blend smooths out each grape’s edges, which is why the style is copied around the world (“Meritage” in the US).

Best food with Red Bordeaux blend

MeatSteak Cabernet Sauvignon · Malbec · Syrah / Shiraz MeatPrime rib Red Bordeaux blend · Cabernet Sauvignon · Nebbiolo (Barolo) MeatLamb Tempranillo (Rioja) · Red Bordeaux blend · Syrah / Shiraz PoultryDuck Pinot Noir · Red Bordeaux blend · Nebbiolo (Barolo) CheeseAged Cheddar & Parmesan Cabernet Sauvignon · Nebbiolo (Barolo) · Tempranillo (Rioja)

Left Bank vs Right Bank

  • Left Bank (Médoc, Pauillac, Margaux, Graves): Cabernet-dominant, firm tannin, cassis and cedar, built to age.
  • Right Bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol): Merlot-dominant, plusher, plum and chocolate, approachable sooner.

Buying tips

Great value lives in “petits châteaux”: look for Bordeaux Supérieur, Côtes de Bordeaux, Lalande-de-Pomerol and Haut-Médoc. A good vintage on the label matters more in Bordeaux than almost anywhere.

Food it loves

Roast lamb, steak, duck and hard cheeses.

Where it’s grown

Bordeaux Napa (Meritage) Washington Tuscany (Super Tuscans)

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If you like Red Bordeaux blend, try…

Full-bodied redCabernet Sauvignon blackcurrant · black cherry · cedar · tobacco · vanilla (from oak) Medium-to-full redMerlot plum · black cherry · chocolate · bay leaf · soft vanilla Medium-bodied redCabernet Franc raspberry · red currant · bell pepper · graphite · violet Medium-to-full redCarménère red plum · black cherry · green peppercorn · paprika · cocoa