What Are Bordeaux Varietals?

Bordeaux wines are either blends or varietals. It is not common to find a Bordeaux made from only one grape variety. Varietal is also a term referring to the primary grape from which a wine is made. A Bordeaux blend contains only grapes from the Bordeaux region, with varying percentages of Bordeaux grape varieties. In a varietal at least 75 percent of the wine is made from one type of accepted Bordeaux grape variety, with the remaining percentage composed of between one and three other Bordeaux grape varieties.

Red Bordeaux Varietals and Blends - Reds

Merlot

Merlot is one of the primary grape varieties blended into Bordeaux. The Merlot provides a silky or smooth wine texture, a ruby red color and is responsible for the fruity flavors found in Bordeaux. According to the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), there are eight grape varieties used to make Bordeaux varietal wines.

Château Pey La Tour 2007 is a Bordeaux varietal with Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), Cabernet Franc (9%) and Petit Verdot (1%). For a blend, try Château de Birot 2005, a Bordeaux wine with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Along with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the primary grape varieties used in Bordeaux wines. It's aromatic and one one of the varieties which ages the best. A Cabernet blend would be Château d'Agassac 2006 contains 65 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 35 percent Merlot.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc adds spicy aromas to Bordeaux blends, and is a catalyst for fruity flavors from the other varietals when blended. This variety also lends itself well to aging, although it can be appreciated early. CABS 2006 is a Bordeaux blend made from equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Petit-Verdot - Light touches of add spiciness to Bordeaux blends. Château Clarke 2005 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Appellation: Listrac-Médoc

Malbec

Malbec is a rare Bordeaux varietals, with few hectares in France. One wine with 30 percent Malec, and 70 percent Merlot is Château Bel-Air La Royere 2005.

Bordeaux Varietals - Whites

Another type of French wine made in Bordeaux is white wine. These grape varieties are used to make Bordeaux varietals and blends.

Semillon

The Semillon grape variety offers sweetness with nutty notes and blends well. Castelnau de Suduiraut 2003, a Bordeaux varietal, contains 90 percent Semillon and 10 percent Sauvignon. A French wine that is a blend with mostly Semillon is Château Beauregard Ducasse 2007, with 70 percent Semillon and 30 percent Sauvignon (blanc).

Sauvignon
Sauvignon is one of the primary varietals in white Bordeaux wines. It's aromatic with fruit notes ranging from citrus to peach. An example of a Sauvignon Bordeaux varietal is Château Lestrille 2007, made with 90 percent Sauvignon blanc, and five percent each of Muscadelle and Semillon.

Muscadelle

The final grape variety used in Bordeaux varietals and blends in French wines is Muscadelle. It's known as being floral and musky, with low acidity, and for being hard to cultivate. You can find this Bordeaux grape variety in both sweet and dry white wines of Bordeaux. One Bordeaxu blend with a hefty Muscadell (20%) component is Château Bonnet 2007, blended with 50 percent Sauvignon (blanc) and 40 percent Semillon.

Sources:

Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), http://www.bordeaux.com
Wine Varietals, It's All About the Grapes, http://www.wine-tastings-guide.com/wine-varietals.html
57 Bordeaux Appellations and their Grape Varieties, http://www.nicks.com.au/index.aspx?link_id=76.1482
Bordeaux, http://www.austincc.edu/bhay/BORDEAUX.doc, Austin Community College
The Wine Atlas, http://www.wineatlas.org/bordeaux-wine/index.html
Planete Bordeaux, http://www.planete-bordeaux.net/en