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Graves

Bordeaux

BordeauxLibourneLangon

Bordeaux appellations · tap an area

The original Bordeaux wine country, named for its gravel-rich soils. The northern half is now Pessac-Léognan; the southern half is sold under the broader Graves AOC. Reds (Cabernet/Merlot blends) and dry whites (Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon) coexist on the same gravel benches.

The wines of Graves are made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other Bordeaux varieties.

0–112 m

Elevation range

redwhite

Wine styles

4 Appellations

Avg. slope 2.4°

Vineyard Map

Terroir

GravelSandClay

This combination of soils contributes to the distinctive character and complexity of Graves wines.

Typical Aromas

red fruittobaccosmokegravelcitrusbeeswax
Explore the aroma wheel

What it tastes like

Body

Medium

Acidity

Fresh

Tannin

Firm

Oak

A touch of oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Medium

Reds

Medium-bodied and fresh with fine tannin; red and black fruit, tobacco and a smoky, gravelly edge, polished and easy to enjoy.

black fruit · red fruit · earthy · smoky · graphite

Body

Medium

Acidity

Bright

Oak

A touch of oak

Ripeness

Ripe

Concentration

Medium

Whites

Medium-bodied and bright, dry with a touch of oak; grapefruit, white peach and grass over a stony edge, creamy and fresh.

citrus · stone fruit · herbal · stony · creamy

Similar styles

Lands in the same glass.

Like the reds

Ticino DOC

Ticino, Switzerland

Polkadraai Hills

Coastal Region, South Africa

Baden

Baden, Germany

North Fork of Long Island

New York, United States

Gimblett Gravels

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Like the whites

Ortenau

Baden, Germany

Rueda

Spain

Tupungato

Mendoza, Argentina

Saint-Péray

Rhône Valley, France

Bellet

Provence, France

Grapes of Bordeaux

Cabernet Sauvignon

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
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

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
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

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberrybell pepperviolet

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

Sauvignon Blanc

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
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

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemongrasshoney

Blended with Sauvignon Blanc

Bordeaux Red Blend

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
blackcurrantplumcedartobacco

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

Bordeaux White Blend

Body
Sweetness
Acidity
citrusgrapefruitwhite peachgooseberry

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes grow in Graves?▼
The main grapes in Graves (Bordeaux) include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc.
What soils are found in Graves?▼
Graves sits on gravel, sand, clay soils, which contribute to the distinctive character of its wines.

Map data: INAO · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)