$624.05

Description

Wines from Bordeaux are classified differently than American wines. While were used to seeing wines classified by their grape varietals, Bordeaux wines are classified based on their region of origin, or Appellation. The red wines of Bordeaux are traditionally made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenere. Because Bordeaux labels do not specify which grapes are used to produce the wine, your biggest clue lies in the appellation. The wines of the western bank of the Gironde river tend to be made with Cabernet Sauvignon, while the wines east of the Gironde tend to be made with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In addition, many Bordeaux wines are blends of these grapes. There is no way to make sweeping generalizations about the wines of Bordeaux, as each wine is the product of unique terroir, unique grape blends, and unique winemaking practices.
-Alan Bayer for WineGlobe.com