Bordeaux is a region in France known for its blends.

White wines can be composed of:

• Semillon
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Muscadelle

Red blends can be combinations of:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Petite Verdot
• Malbec

Other terms you’ll hear when referring to Bordeaux are “left bank” and “right bank” wines. These terms are relative to the Gironde River. Generally speaking, “left bank” wines to the west of the Gironde are made primarily of Cabernet Sauivgnon, and those from the “right bank” to the east are primarily of Merlot.

There are many classification systems that are meant to indicate quality. However, these systems are different between the various sub-regions within Bordeaux, and in my opinion, it’s kind of like reading a movie review by a critic. The critic will give it 5 stars, but you’ll find the movie dry and unenjoyable, even if the artistic quality is there. On the other hand, the movie that you thought was hilarious and will continue watching every weekend on HBO got 1 star by the critic. So take the classification system with the grain of salt that is your personal preference regarding what flavors and other characteristics you want in a wine.

All in all… I think Bordeaux is fascinating. However, many of them are fairly pricey and between the classification system that is supposed to help you, but doesn’t, and all the towns and neighborhoods that I’m unfamiliar with, as well as the long aging process that comes with these highly acidic wines… Bordeaux wines are a fascinating, but complex and expensive experiment. When you get a great one, it’s worth it; but it seems like there are a lot of risk factors that could leave you with a lot of unenjoyable bottles. The only solution to this is tastings, in my opinion… you spend very little and get a great feel for what regions, terroirs, winemakers, and vintages you should stick with in the future. My assumption is that after more tastings, you’d start to see what things are in common… for example, if you consistently like the 2002 vintage from Pomerol after 5 years of aging.

2007 Chateau Cantelaudette Graves de Vayres Blanc

This White Bordeaux by Chateau Cantelaudette is made up of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon. Amazing melon and floral aromas will delight your senses! This wine reminds me of spring, and it has a subtle lemon finish.

Origin: Graves de Vayres, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Big Vintage Imports
Price: $15
Next time: Get a case!

2005 Chateau Saincrit Bordeaux Superieur

I recently bought two bottles of the 2005 Chateau Saincrit as my little experiment to try out as they age. So it was a treat to get to try it early RIGHT NOW! With already five years of age this wine has an amazing flavor but still has too high acidity. I’m going to hold on to my two bottles for another five years, then try one. That’s the plan. I’m looking forward to 2015.

Plus, who can resist a wine with a unicorn on the label!

Origin: Saint Andre de Cubzac, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Atlanta Improvement Co.
Price: $22
Next time: Get a glass! But wait a 3-5 years.

1998 Chateau Simard Saint Emilion

This Chateau Simard from Saint Emilion has spent 12 years in the bottle. I’m not sure if it’s this age or if it’s what the winemaker was intending, but the fruit  flavors are very diminished and the acid seemed very high in an unbalanced way.

Origin: Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines
Price: $31
Next time: I’ll pass.

2005 Chateau Fleur de Barbeyron Saint Emilion Grand Cru

This Chateau Fleur de Barbeyron is primarily Merlot. It’s also a Grand Cru, the highest quality classification rating for a Bordeaux. This wine has some wonderful fruit but it’s still buried beneath too much acid. I may start to sound like a broken record on this post… but a lot of these seem overwhelmed by tannins and acid, so my only guess is to wait a while on some of these wines.

Origin: Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Masciarelli Wine Co.
Price: $39
Next time: Get a glass, bu it could still use some more time to age.

2005 Chateau Taillefer Pomerol

The 2005 Chateau Taillefer from Pomerol was one of my favorites from the tasting! Made from 75% Merlot, this wine displays a strong fruit backbone with a great balance with its tannins.

Origin: Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Freixenet USA
Price: $51
Next time: Get a case, if you can afford it! Otherwise, definitely get a glass or a bottle! Put this on your wish list.

2005 Chateau Pont de Brion Graves

This Chateau Pont de Brion was very acidic and had a strong lemon finish. Very crisp and lighter bodied for a red wine that’s 65% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Origin: Graves, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Peter Weygandt
Price: $24
Next time: I’ll pass.

2005 Chateau Cruzea Pessac-Leognan

Th e Chateau Cruzea had some powerful fruit, but was overwhelmed by tannins. Give this one more time to age. FYI – Pessac-Leognan is a “neighborhood” within Graves.

Origin: Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
Importer: WJ Deutsch & Sons
Price: $36
Next time: I’ll pass.

2002 Chateau Mongravey Margaux

The Chateau Mongravey was my absolute favorite wine of the tasting! With eight years of aging in the bottle, this wine was still heavy bodied with powerful fruit and balanced tannins. Without going into the different conditions surrounding the 2002 and 2005 vintages, just that extra time in the bottle seems to really help temper the tannins so that they’re more enjoyable and not just bullying the fruit around.

Origin: Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Atlanta improvement Co.
Price: $28
Next time: Get a case!

2005 Chateau de Pez Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel Saint Estephe

The Chateau de Pez has the quality classification of “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel” and it’s the oldest vineyard in the Saint Estephe area. This 70% Cab had big forest floor characteristics, so I wasn’t a fan.

Origin: Saint Estephe, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Maisons Marquez & Domaines
Price: $36
Next time: I’ll pass.

2005 Chateau Sociando-Mallet Haut Medoc

Like several other wines from this tasting, the Chateau Sociando-Mallet had a delicious fruit backbone but was still overwhelmed by tannins. With some more time, this wine should be truly outstanding.

Origin: Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
Importer: Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines
Price: $74
Next time: Get a glass! But give this wine some time. It’s got amazing potential.

2006 Chateau Doisy-Vedrines Grand Cru Classe

This Chateau Doisy-Vedrines  is made from 60% Semillon. I was wondering why this white wine was being saved for last throughout the tasting… it turned out to be much more of a dessert wine! Aromas of oranges and lemons create the nose, but the taste was a very heavy and sweet combination of honey and melon flavors. It was delicious but a little bit goes a long way.

Origin: Bordeaux, France
Importer: Atlanta Wholesale Wine
Price: $52
Next time: I’ll pass.