Finding the best Bordeaux wine is one of the most exciting tasks in wine appreciation. My wine appreciation journey started in Bordeaux in 2014 when I participated in a few wine tours. Whether you are looking for the perfect wine for an occasion, sweet wines for dessert, or affordable wines, I’ve got you covered.
A Note On Grape Varieties
When you look at a wine label of French wine, you usually will not see the grape varieties listed. If you are in Canada or the United States, this type of wine label may be confusing. It is simply a cultural difference in this famous wine region.
The wine label tells you geographical details like the “Left Bank” of the chateau in France and other countries (bit you wouldn’t learn what country has the best wine). You have to know the typical grape varieties used in the region.
The Most Common Bordeaux Grape Varieties
The Bordeaux wine region typically uses a few different grape varieties. In terms of the region’s best red blend wine, Bordeaux typically focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. In contrast, white Bordeaux is typically made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. These six grapes are the most popular, but wine lovers occasionally find other grape varieties.
Best Bordeaux Wine Under $50
The under $50 price range gives you access to a wide variety of French wines. Before moving to other types, wine lovers new to the Bordeaux region should start with these affordable wines.
Red Wines
1) Chateau Sansonnet
- Wine Region: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: the average price for this wine is $43 per bottle
The fruit flavors of this red blend go well with beef dishes. As a casual wine drinker, you’re in for a treat with this wine. The winery has won at least ten awards, and many wine experts have reviewed the wine highly. As the Wine Cellar Insider points out, this winery switched to handpicking some years ago. Despite that change, the winery produces affordable wines across three grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
2) Château Boutisse
- Wine Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: this wine is usually available for about $47 per bottle
This red wine blend is noted for its black fruit notes and oaky notes. If you like your wine with blackberry, chocolate, and smoky qualities, this might be the best Bordeaux wine for you. The wine has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Vivino.
White Wines
3) Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne
- Wine Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: $31 to $96 per bottle (some vintages cost more than others)
This sweet white wine is praised for its tree fruit notes such as peach and melon. In addition, many wine lovers enjoy the wine’s earthy notes, including honey, ginger, and smoke. If you mainly drink dry wine, be prepared for a different experience with this bottle. As a sweet dessert wine, Sauternes is often best enjoyed gradually.
4) Le Nardian Lagaignac
- Wine Region: Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: approximately $45 pre bottle
You will find a blend of three grape varieties in the bottle: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. Instead of dark fruit, wine lovers note that this white has notes of pear, apricot, and lychee. This dry white wine pairs well with white meat, vegetarian, and appetizer dishes.
Best Bordeaux Wine Under $100
Wine professionals can suggest many more wine options with an average price between $50 to $100. Whether you go to a wine bar, wine store, or a higher-end restaurant, seeking out these bottles of wine is well worth the effort.
Red Wines
5) Chateau La Gravette de Certan
- Wine Region: Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: average price of $87 per bottle according to Wine-Searcher
Produced in Bordeaux’s right bank, this red wine is typically based in Merlot. The red wine is aged in oak and usually has an alcohol content of 13-14.5%. The wine already has good reviews from Wine Enthusiast and The Wine Cellar Insider. Expect to taste black fruits in this style of wine.
- Wine Region: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: average price of $xx per bottle according to Wine-Searcher
This famous winery is a Grand Cru Classé estate known for its exceptional wine. It may be difficult to find these bottles on wine shop shelves. Fortunately, the winery offers an international wine shipping service.
7) Chateau Nenin
- Wine Region: Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: average price of $98 per bottle according to Wine-Searcher
The Bordeaux red wine is available at less than $60 in some cases. Wine lovers comment on the wine’s fruit flavors, including raspberries and strawberries. This French wine has earned an average score of 91 from wine critics.
White Wines
8) Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey
- Wine Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: the wine is available for less than $100 (though some bottles sell for more than $100)
This Bordeaux winery is well respected as a Premier Cru Classé wine estate. The winery has also earned numerous awards from the Le Guide Hachette des Vins. As a dessert wine producer, Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey typically includes a blend of several grapes such as Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscadelle.
9) Domaine de Chevalier
- Wine Region: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: the wine is available for less than $100 (though some bottles sell for over $100)
Like the Haut-Bion mentioned above, Domaine de Chevalier also produces a white blend made up of sauvignon blanc and Semillon. The wine’s flavor profile includes smoked notes and honeysuckle.
This Cru Classe white wine winery has been in business for centuries. Olivier Bernard took over the winery in 1983. The wine is aged in a new barrel. If you’re planning a wine trip to France, use the winery’s virtual tour to get a sense of the area. The wine trade has recognized the winery – it made the list of the 100 wines in Wine Spectator in 2019.
10) Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
- Wine Region: Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: the wine price ranges from $59 to more than $100
This white Bordeaux has earned strong ratings and reviews in the wine trade. The average critic score for this wine is 91 out of 100. As a Cru Classe, you can rest assured that this wine is among the best white Bordeaux on the market. The winery has earned a Bordeaux classification for white wine and red wine.
Best Bordeaux Wine When Money Is No Object
Red Wines
11) Chateau Margaux
- Wine Region: Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: From $200 to over $1000 per bottle
Chateau Margaux is considered the best Bordeaux wine by many wine professionals. The winery was recognized in the 1855 official classification, which gives additional prestige t the wine. Alas, Chateau Margaux is not known for its affordable price. However, this incredible wine is worth saving up to enjoy. According to the wine trade, the winery’s expensive wines deliver unbeatable quality, with critics scoring the wine at 95 out of 100.
12) Château Pape Clément
- Wine Region: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: from $85 to more than $100 per bottle
The chateau pape clement winery has won countless wine awards and trophies in the wine trade. The winery’s red blend is typically made out of the following grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for 18 months before being released. As a wine lover who also enjoys history, it is fascinating to note that this winery has been producing wine since the 1200s!
White Wines
13) Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc
- Wine Region: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: the wine is available starting at $599, and the average price is $970 per bottle
This white Bordeaux has earned outstanding reviews – an average critic score of 95 out of 100. The wine comprises two grape varieties: sauvignon blanc and Semillon (a popular white blend in France). The winery has long been recognized in the Bordeaux classification system. Among wine professionals and those in the wine trade, a bottle of Chateau Haut-Brion is a rare experience to be savored. Add this Cru Classé wine to your wine bucket list and enjoy it on a special occasion.
14) Chateau d’yquem
- Wine Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: the wine is available starting at $200, with many bottles selling for much higher prices.
No guide to the best Bordeaux wine is complete without this famous winery. Among wine producers, Chateau d’yquem makes outstanding dessert wines. The winery’s white wines are typically a combination of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. The winery has amazing castle vibes to offer to visitors.
15) Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
- Wine Region: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- Price Range: the Bordeaux white is available starting from approximately $100 per bottle. The average price per bottle is $151, according to Wine-Searcher.
After Chateau Haut-Brion, Smith Haut Lafitte is commonly regarded as one of the best white Bordeaux wines. The Left Bank winery earns high praise in the wine trade with an average score of 93 out of 100. Like most Bordeaux wines, this white Bordeaux is a blend of multiple grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. This white wine is considered a good pairing for meat and oily fish dishes.
What About Other Styles of Wine?
Now that you know a dozen examples of the best Bordeaux wine, you might wonder what else the French wine region has to offer. Entire books have been written about Bordeaux for a good reason. It is one of the best wine regions in Europe if not the world. To fully explore the region, plan a wine trip to France and work with a wine tour guide. To help you plan your first wine travel trip, check out our post: How to Enjoy Wine Travel.
