Bordeaux Red Wine

The Left Bank is generally Cabernet Sauvignon-led, producing wines with structure, dark fruit, cassis and firm tannins that can develop beautifully with age. Famous appellations include Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe. On the Right Bank, Merlot usually plays the leading role, often giving softer, rounder wines with generous plum and red-fruit character. Neither bank is inherently better; they simply offer different expressions of Bordeaux.

Start with the style you enjoy. If you prefer structured, Cabernet-led wines with dark fruit and firm tannins, look towards the Left Bank. If you enjoy rounder, Merlot-led wines with softer tannins and generous fruit, explore the Right Bank. Vintage, château and appellation all matter too, but price alone is not a guide to enjoyment. Some of the most rewarding Bordeaux can come from less famous appellations and carefully chosen smaller producers.

Bordeaux is famous for its prestigious classified estates, but there is far more to the region than its best-known names. Smaller châteaux and less celebrated appellations can offer tremendous character and value, particularly when the producer is farming carefully and making wine with a clear sense of place. At Spy, this is where Bordeaux becomes especially interesting: discovering distinctive bottles that deliver genuine quality without relying on a famous label.