Bordeaux

Bordeaux Wines

With their long aging potential, great Bordeaux wines are essential in any wine cellar and provide a truly memorable tasting experience. Thanks to Robert Parker's classification, Bordeaux Grands Crus have become an attractive investment and are often purchased en primeur or from a recent vintage. Discover the vineyards of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Pessac-Léognan, and the renowned Château Haut-Brion and Château Lafite-Rothschild on Cavissima.

Cavissima.com is your go-to source for buying Bordeaux wine online. We offer a carefully curated selection of the finest Bordeaux wines from the most prestigious châteaux and exceptional vineyards. Whether you're looking for renowned Médoc wines or wines from celebrated terroirs like Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and Sauternes, our selection of Bordeaux wines will exceed your expectations.

Saint-Émilion

Located about forty kilometers east of Bordeaux, the appellation Saint-Émilion spans nine communes, including Saint-Émilion itself, which has been the epicenter of this wine region since the 8th century. The three main grape varieties used are Merlot , Cabernet Franc , and Cabernet Sauvignon , sometimes with the addition of Malbec. These grapes give the wines of this appellation their tannins, spicy notes, excellent aging potential, and intense ruby ​​color.

The Saint-Émilion appellation has the distinction of having its own classification system. Unlike the official Bordeaux wine classification of 1855, the Saint-Émilion classification is revised every 10 years. The Saint-Émilion classification system was first established in 1955 and currently comprises two quality levels: Premier Grand Cru Classé and Grand Cru Classé. The Premier Grand Cru Classé is further divided into "A" and "B" classifications.

Pauillac

The name Pauillac is located on the left bank of the Gironde estuary and boasts 18 classified growths, representing 85% of its production, including some First Growth Classified Growths from 1855. Pauillac wines are primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot , and to a lesser extent, Petit Verdot and Malbec. These wines have excellent aging potential , allowing the tannins to soften and the aromas to develop, resulting in wines that are both delicate and powerful.

The Pauillac appellation is most famous for its three Premier Grand Cru châteaux, classified in the official 1855 Bordeaux wine classification: Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild. These estates are among the most prestigious in the world, and their wines are sought after by enthusiasts and collectors for their quality and their ability to age beautifully. Pauillac also boasts other star estates that celebrate excellence, such as Château Pichon Baron, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, and Château Lynch-Bages.

Margaux

Margaux is one of the most famous appellations of the Médoc, in the Bordeaux region. The appellation Margaux covers nearly 1,500 hectares across five communes and was only established in its current form in 1954. It boasts a record twenty-one Grands Crus Classés from 1855 ! Margaux wines are made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot , sometimes with Cabernet Franc and, more rarely, Petit Verdot. These grape varieties produce a structured wine with complex and rich aromas, and excellent aging potential.

Château Margaux, classified as a Premier Grand Cru in the official 1855 Bordeaux wine classification, is the most famous estate in the appellation. A remarkable château renowned for its excellence, it is celebrated for producing wines of exceptional quality with impressive aging potential.

Besides Château Margaux, the appellation includes several other renowned estates, such as Château Palmer, Château Rauzan-Ségla, Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Lascombes, to name just a few.

Pomerol

The Pomerol appellation is a small appellation neighboring Saint-Émilion, producing exceptional, rich, and velvety red wines, primarily from the vineyard's flagship grape: Merlot. The Pomerol vineyards cover more than 790 hectares. This vast terroir is home to two red grape varieties: Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Pomerol wines are renowned for their lovely aromas of violet, red fruit, and hints of truffle. They are prized for their opulence, roundness, and aromatic complexity.

The renowned Château Pétrus is undoubtedly the most iconic of this appellation, but other prestigious estates such as Château Le Pin, Château Lafleur, and Château La Conseillante also deserve the attention of wine lovers. The 2009, 2010, and 2015 vintages are particularly sought after for their excellence and aging potential.

Sauternes

The Sauternes appellation, located south of Bordeaux, is world-renowned for its sweet wines. The Sauternes vineyards benefit from a specific climate and geographical conditions that favor the development of Botrytis cinerea, also known as "noble rot." This fungus gives the wines an exceptional concentration of sugars and aromas.

The Sauternes appellation is home to the legendary Château d'Yquem, considered the jewel of the region, as well as other exceptional estates such as Château Guiraud, Château Suduiraut, and Château Rieussec. The 2001, 2007, and 2009 vintages are particularly prized for their aromatic richness and perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.

Key vintages in Bordeaux

In Bordeaux, the 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2016 vintages stand out for their exceptional quality. The 2014 vintage produced excellent wines, and those from 2008, 2011, and 2012 are very good. However, the 2013 vintage is generally of average quality in this region. More recently, the Bordeaux vineyards have faced complex, even extreme, weather conditions, such as in 2022. Nevertheless, Bordeaux winemakers are doing everything they can to produce better vintages each year and remain resilient in the face of a changing calendar that brings its share of surprises. Thus, recent years like 2019, 2020, and 2022 have yielded excellent vintages.

The sale of en primeur wines in Bordeaux

Cavissima offers its Bordeaux wines en primeur, a unique purchasing method in the Bordeaux wine region. Bordeaux en primeur involves pre-ordering wines from the vineyard's latest vintage. At the time of your purchase, the wines are still aging. They will be available after bottling. This purchasing method offers numerous advantages. This unmissable event allows wine lovers to acquire bottles, often at the best prices. En primeur is above all an opportunity to access very rare wines that become difficult to obtain after bottling.

How to buy wines en primeur? Buying wines en primeur has never been easier than with Cavissima. Simply visit Cavissima.com, go to the "Buy Wine" section, and you'll find the "En Primeur" tab. Browse the selection, consult our reviews and advice on the vintage, add your selection to your cart, confirm your order, and as soon as your Bordeaux Grands Crus are bottled, you'll be notified by email. You can choose to have your bottles delivered to your home or store them in your Cavissima online cellar. Right now, you can discover our selection of 2023 Bordeaux en primeur wines .

The main producers of Bordeaux

Several iconic producers proudly represent the Bordeaux region. Among them are several Grands Crus Classés from 1855, such as the Château Haut-Brion in Pessac-Léognan, the Château d'Yquem In Sauternes, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour, or Château Mouton-Rothschild in Pauillac, the Château Cheval Blanc or Château Ausone in Saint-Émilion, the Château Margaux in Margaux… Pomerol, despite its lack of classification, is not to be outdone with, for example, the very famous Petrus and Château Le Pin.

Classification systems in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a wine region renowned for its rigorous classification systems, designed to distinguish the quality of the wines produced. The most famous is undoubtedly the Official Classification of Bordeaux Wines of 1855, which established a hierarchy of the region's wines into five "Crus" based on the reputation and price of the wines at the time. In addition to the 1855 classification, there are other classification systems specific to certain areas of Bordeaux. Today, Bordeaux has five main recognized classifications:

• Official classification of Bordeaux wines of 1855

• Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classification

• Graves classification

• Official selection of Crus Bourgeois

• Classification of sweet white wines

These classification systems aim to guide consumers and highlight the excellence of Bordeaux's top producers. However, it's important to remember that many high-quality producers in Bordeaux are not included in these rankings, and that there are many exceptional wines to discover throughout the region.

White wines of Bordeaux

Besides its famous red wines, Bordeaux also produces delicious white wines. The white wines of the Bordeaux vineyards have the distinction of possessing their own appellation: AOC Bordeaux Blancs. White Bordeaux wine is produced throughout the entire wine region.

Bordeaux white wines are a fascinating expression of the richness and diversity of the Bordeaux vineyards. Made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, they come in a wide range, from dry white wines to sweet white wines.

Dry white Bordeaux wines, characterized by their freshness, vibrancy, and aromatic complexity, are perfect for pairing with seafood and fish. They reveal aromas of white-fleshed fruit, citrus, and sometimes floral and mineral notes, with a lovely acidity that gives them a balanced structure and a long finish.

Buying Bordeaux wine on Cavissima.com means enjoying the quality and authenticity of the finest Bordeaux wines, delivered directly to your home or to our secure cellar for optimal storage. Our experienced sommeliers are available to guide you in your selection and advise you on food and wine pairings that will enhance your tasting experience.

Whether you wish to discover Bordeaux wines for the first time, expand your personal collection or offer an exceptional gift to a loved one, our customer service remains at your disposal to meet your needs.