Bordeaux Red Blend
Wine style
Red Bordeaux Blends are known for their powerful structure and deep flavors. Dark fruits and berries such as plum and blackcurrant are commonly used to describe the flavors of red Bordeaux, although there is an unlimited range of terms that have been ascribed to them. Tannins tend to be relatively high in these wines, giving them a firm structure.
Grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon is widely accepted as a compulsory component of any Bordeaux Blend, with merlot following close behind. In fact, many Bordeaux Blend wines are often made exclusively from a blend of these two varieties.
The remaining components are cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec, used in varying combinations and proportions. Even carmenere is on the list of possible ingredients, despite being rarely used by modern Bordeaux vineyards (notable exceptions include Haut-Bailly, Brane-Cantenac and Clerc-Milon).
