The great wine of Bordeaux and its famous appellations
Saint-Emilion, Pauillac, Pomerol... Bordeaux wines enjoy international renown thanks to a unique terroir and legendary Châteaux. In this vast wine-producing region, "Grand Vin de Bordeaux" refers to the most prestigious appellations. Discover them in our selection of Rare Bordeaux Wines.
The Bordeaux vineyard
With over 110,000 hectares of vineyards, the Bordeaux vineyard is the largest in France. It extends around the Dordogne, the Garonne, and the Gironde estuary, which provide ideal conditions for vine cultivation. The climate is relatively mild, the hillsides are well-exposed to the sun, and the Médoc forest protects the area from the salty ocean winds.
In Bordeaux, the rivers dictate the geography of the vineyard:
- On the left bank of the Garonne lie the Médoc and Graves.
- On the right bank of the Dordogne are Blayais, Bourgeais, and Libournais.
- Between the rivers is the Entre-deux-Mers area.
The specifics of Bordeaux wine
Unlike Loire or Burgundy wines, which are mostly single-varietal, Bordeaux wines are made from a blend of several grape varieties with complementary qualities. This is one of the specificities of Bordeaux wines : the characteristics and aromas of each grape combine to create a unique wine.
Bordeaux reds combine Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, while the whites mainly blend Sémillon and Sauvignon. Auxiliary grape varieties such as Petit Verdot and Malbec for reds, or Muscadelle and Colombard for whites, complete the blend to make it unique. The role of the cellar master is therefore essential in the creation of Great Wines.
Pomerol, Pauillac, Saint Emilion … a wide portfolio of amazing wines
On the left bank, Médoc produces Fine Wines with significant yet well-integrated tannic structure. These wines typically reveal their full potential after 10 years of aging, notably those from Saint-Julien. Special mention goes to Margaux wines, known for their floral aromas with notes of violet and fresh fruits.
Further south are Graves and Pessac-Léognan; their red wines offer black fruit aromas and spicy notes. The whites, round, lively, and fruity, are characterized by white flower aromas. In the southernmost part of Graves, Sauternes produces complex and elegant sweet wines with an unparalleled aging potential, and mature vintages will leave you in awe!
On the right bank, Blaye and Côtes de Bourg produce some dry and subtle whites but are especially known for their elegant Merlots with intense fruitiness. The Libournais region is famous for its exceptional wines: Saint Emilion, Pomerol, Fronsac... These powerful reds with silky tannins offer aromas of fig and toasted almonds. The vintages reveal themselves over the years. Don't hesitate to try a great mature vintage like 1982, 1990, or 2000.
Find all these Rare and Vintage Bordeaux Wines in the RP Fine Wines online cellar.
