Bordeaux

France

Bordeaux appellations

About Bordeaux

Bordeaux stands as the world's most celebrated wine region, producing more fine wine than any other. Situated in southwestern France along the Gironde estuary, the region is naturally divided by the Garonne and Dordogne rivers into distinct areas: the Left Bank (Médoc, Graves, Pessac-Léognan) where Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, and the Right Bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol) where Merlot takes the lead. The 1855 Classification remains the reference for Left Bank estates, while Saint-Émilion maintains its own evolving classification. White Bordeaux ranges from the crisp, dry wines of Entre-Deux-Mers and Pessac-Léognan to the legendary sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac. The maritime climate, moderated by the Gulf Stream and protected by the Landes forest, creates ideal conditions for extended ripening, though vintage variation remains significant. Great Bordeaux rewards patience—the finest wines require decades to reveal their full complexity.

2–155 m

Elevation range

redroséwhite

Wine styles

6 Appellations

Avg. slope 2.9°

Vintage Ratings

Rating:

95+

90-94

85-89

80-84

<80

PeakReadyHold

Year	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994	1993	1992	1991	1990
Red
White

Outstanding Bordeaux Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2023

Hold

90Excellent

The vintage of extremes. Record heat in early summer stressed vines significantly, though August rains provided relief.

2030Peak 2035–20452050

2022

Hold

95Exceptional

An exceptional vintage across both banks. Hot, dry conditions from spring through harvest produced deeply concentrated wines with remarkable purity.

2032Peak 2040–20602070

2020

Hold

95Exceptional

A truly outstanding vintage of power and finesse. The summer heat concentrated the fruit remarkably, yet the wines possess surprising freshness and energy.

2030Peak 2038–20582065

2019

Hold

93Excellent

An excellent vintage of charm and accessibility. Warm conditions produced ripe, generous wines with soft tannins and appealing fruit.

2028Peak 2034–20482055

2018

Hold

95Exceptional

A great vintage of power and richness. Challenging mildew pressure in spring gave way to a glorious summer.

2028Peak 2035–20552060

2016

Hold

96Exceptional

A legendary vintage of extraordinary quality. Perfect conditions from flowering through harvest produced wines of exceptional concentration, precision, and structure.

2028Peak 2036–20582065

2015

Ready

96Exceptional

An exceptional vintage of harmony and depth. Warm, dry conditions produced powerful wines that retain remarkable elegance.

2026Peak 2032–20522060

White

2022

Ready

92Excellent

Rich, concentrated whites from the hot, dry vintage. Some lack the freshness of cooler years, but the best from Pessac-Léognan combine power with elegance.

2024Peak 2027–20322035

2021

Ready

91Excellent

An excellent vintage of tension and minerality. The cool growing season preserved bright acidity, while late-season sun achieved ripeness.

2024Peak 2027–20332036

2020

At peak

92Excellent

Generous, ripe whites from the warm vintage. Early harvest preserved freshness.

2023Peak 2026–20312034

2019

At peak

91Excellent

Ripe, generous whites with immediate appeal. Warm conditions produced rich wines with soft acidity.

2022Peak 2024–20292032

2018

At peak

92Excellent

Outstanding dry whites despite the challenging spring. The hot, dry summer concentrated flavors beautifully.

2021Peak 2023–20282030

2016

At peak

91Excellent

Excellent dry whites with purity and precision. The ideal vintage for reds also produced outstanding whites.

2019Peak 2022–20272030

2015

Drink now

92Excellent

Rich, concentrated whites from the warm vintage. Power balanced by sufficient acidity.

2018Peak 2020–20252028

Dessert

2023

Hold

95Exceptional

Excellent botrytis conditions. Warm humid September triggered swift widespread noble rot on perfectly ripe grapes.

2030Peak 2034–20552060

2022

Hold

92Excellent

Drought year; botrytis arrived late after September 24 rains. Those who waited until late October captured concentrated noble rot.

2029Peak 2033–20482055

2021

Hold

93Excellent

Brilliant but tiny quantities. Frost and hail devastated yields.

2028Peak 2032–20522058

2017

Ready

90Excellent

Devastating April frost (Barsac worst hit; Climens lost crop). Late August/September noble rot produced brilliant wines.

2024Peak 2028–20422048

2015

At peak

92Excellent

Fresh and pure. Less botrytis than top years but excellent quality.

2022Peak 2026–20422050

2014

At peak

95Exceptional

Special vintage per Wine Spectator. Outstanding pure wines with lemony botrytis and high acidity.

2021Peak 2026–20502058

Curious about Bordeaux? Save it to your Discoveries and tick it off when you taste your first wine.

Subregions & Appellations

Left Bank

Médoc, Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Sauternes

Entre-deux-Mers

Dry whites, Cadillac, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont

Right Bank

Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac, Blaye, Bourg, Castillon

Regional Appellations

Bordeaux AOC

The regional appellation for everyday red, white, and rosé wines from anywhere in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Supérieur

A step above Bordeaux AOC with stricter yield limits and higher minimum alcohol. Often better value than the name suggests.

Crémant de Bordeaux

Traditional method sparkling wines, increasingly popular. Made from the same grapes as still Bordeaux.

Terroir & Character

Climate

botrytis-friendlywarm summersfog & mistmaritime

Maritime climate moderated by the Atlantic Ocean and Gironde estuary, providing mild winters and warm summers. The Gulf Stream influence helps extend the growing season, while morning mists from the rivers create perfect conditions for noble rot in sweet wine areas.

Terroir

diverse soilsgravelclaylimestone

Incredibly diverse soils ranging from well-draining gravel beds on the Left Bank (perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon) to clay and limestone on the Right Bank (ideal for Merlot). The Gironde estuary and its tributaries create a complex patchwork of microclimates and soil types within relatively small areas.

Typical Aromas

cassiscedargraphitetobaccovioletdark chocolate

Explore the aroma wheel

Classification System

Bordeaux has no single classification system. Each subregion has its own approach. The Médoc’s 1855 Classification is the most famous, ranking estates into five growths and essentially frozen in time. Saint-Émilion reviews its classification every decade, making it the only one that evolves. Graves has a separate 1959 classification for reds and whites. Sauternes was classified alongside the Médoc in 1855, with Château d’Yquem in a class of its own. Pomerol, despite producing some of Bordeaux’s most expensive wines, has never had a formal classification.

1855 Classification (Médoc)

The most famous classification in wine, ranking estates (châteaux) rather than vineyards. Created for the Paris Exposition and only amended once, when Mouton Rothschild was promoted to First Growth in 1973.

Premiers Crus

Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, Haut-Brion

Deuxièmes Crus

14 estates including Léoville Las Cases, Pichon Longueville, Cos d’Estournel

Troisièmes Crus

14 estates including Palmer, Calon-Ségur, d’Issan

Quatrièmes Crus

10 estates including Beychevelle, Talbot, Saint-Pierre

Cinquièmes Crus

18 estates including Lynch-Bages, Pontet-Canet, Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Saint-Émilion Classification

Unlike the 1855 Classification, Saint-Émilion’s classification is reviewed roughly every ten years. The most recent revision was in 2022. This makes it the only major Bordeaux classification that evolves with the quality of its estates.

Premier Grand Cru Classé A

Currently Château Figeac and Château Pavie

Premier Grand Cru Classé B

12 estates including Canon, Bélair-Monange, Troplong-Mondot

Grand Cru Classé

Over 70 estates, the backbone of quality Saint-Émilion

Notable Producers

Chateau Lafite RothschildFirst Growth Pauillac, elegant Cabernet

Chateau Mouton RothschildFirst Growth Pauillac, artist labels

Chateau MargauxFirst Growth, perfumed and silky

Chateau Haut-BrionFirst Growth Pessac-Leognan, oldest estate

PetrusIconic Pomerol, pure Merlot

Chateau Cheval BlancFirst Growth Saint-Emilion, Cabernet Franc

Chateau AusoneFirst Growth Saint-Emilion, limestone terroir

Chateau LatourFirst Growth Pauillac, power and longevity

Grapes of Bordeaux

Cabernet Sauvignon

blackcurrantgreen bell peppermintcedar

The Left Bank's home grape, on deep gravel beds. Cassis, cedar, graphite, and tobacco, framed by firm tannin built for decades of cellaring.

Merlot

plumblackberrystrawberrybay leaf

Bordeaux's Right Bank lives on Merlot. Pomerol's iron-rich clay yields plush plum, black cherry, and truffle; Saint-Émilion's limestone adds elegance, cigar box, and length.

Cabernet Franc

strawberryraspberrybell pepperviolet

Riper, plummier, more structured. Key blending partner in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol.

Sauvignon Blanc

grassasparaguspassion fruitgrapefruit

Bordeaux's dry whites blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon on Pessac-Léognan gravel. Lemon, peach, and white flowers; barrel age brings cream and honey over a decade.

Sémillon

green applelemongrasshoney

Blended with Sauvignon Blanc

Bordeaux Red Blend

blackcurrantplumcedartobacco

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant on the Left Bank, Merlot-dominant on the Right Bank

Bordeaux White Blend

citrusgrapefruitwhite peachgooseberry

Dry whites from Pessac-Léognan are the finest, combining Sauvignon Blanc freshness with Sémillon richness

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Bordeaux wine special?▼

Bordeaux is the world's most celebrated wine region, producing more fine wine than anywhere else on earth. The region's unique terroir comes from its location in southwestern France along the Gironde estuary, where the maritime climate and diverse soils create perfect conditions for both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. What really sets Bordeaux apart is its mastery of blending - they've been perfecting the art of combining different grape varieties for centuries to create wines of incredible complexity and longevity.

What are the best Bordeaux vintages?▼

Recent standout vintages include 2022 and 2020, both rated 5/5 for reds - truly exceptional years with perfect balance of power and finesse. The 2022 vintage benefited from hot, dry conditions that produced concentrated, exceptional wines across both banks. For whites, 2021 was particularly excellent with great tension and minerality thanks to the cooler growing season, while 2020 and 2022 whites are also very strong at 4/5.

What grapes are grown in Bordeaux?▼

The key red grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which form the backbone of most Bordeaux blends. For whites, it's primarily Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc that dominate. Cabernet Sauvignon tends to perform best on the Left Bank's gravelly soils, while Merlot thrives on the Right Bank's clay-limestone terrain.

Is 2022 a good year for Bordeaux?▼

2022 is absolutely exceptional - it's rated 5/5 for reds, making it one of the best vintages in recent memory. The hot, dry conditions from spring through harvest created concentrated, powerful wines across both the Left and Right Bank. The whites are also very strong at 4/5, though they're rich and concentrated rather than having the bright freshness of cooler years.

When should I drink Bordeaux 2022?▼

Given that 2022 is such a concentrated, powerful vintage, most reds will benefit from at least 8-15 years of aging to reach their peak, with top estates potentially drinking well for 20-30 years. The whites will be more approachable in 3-5 years and should drink beautifully for 10-15 years. Of course, this varies significantly depending on the specific château and your personal taste preferences.

What food pairs well with Bordeaux wines?▼

Bordeaux reds are classic partners for red meat - think roast lamb, beef bourguignon, or grilled steaks where the wine's tannins complement the protein beautifully. Game birds, duck confit, and aged cheeses like Roquefort also work wonderfully. For Bordeaux whites, try them with seafood, particularly oysters from nearby Arcachon Bay, or rich dishes like lobster thermidor.

How does Bordeaux compare to Burgundy?▼

Bordeaux and Burgundy represent two completely different philosophies - Bordeaux is all about blending (mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) while Burgundy focuses on single varietals (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). Bordeaux tends to produce more powerful, structured wines that age for decades, whereas Burgundy offers more elegance and terroir expression. Bordeaux is also much larger and produces significantly more wine, making it generally more accessible than Burgundy's tiny vineyard plots.

Map data: INAO