Our Bordeaux Styles

Both Lisa and I have a love for the Bordeaux region, its two distinct blends and how so many of the Chateaus have their own take on how to blend their three main red grapes (Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc).

For us that love started in St Emilion or what's known as the Right Bank, an area consisting of mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc. That passion has continued to grow to encompase the Left Bank, specifically the Medoc, home of the architecturally quintesential wine Chateaus and the home of the more dominant Cabernet Sauvignon styles.

It's after these two areas that we style our Left & Right Bank Wines.

Bordeaux Styles Explained

Left Bank & Right Bank

The Bordeaux Region is broken down in 2 main areas, both producing vastly different styles. Left Bank is home to the Médoc & Graves and are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon. Right Bank is home to St Emillion and Pomorol where Merlot and Cabernet Franc dominate.

Varieties

There are 5 main varieties grown through out the Bordeaux AOC.

 

Left Bank
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Merlot
3. Cabernet Franc
4. Malbec
5. Petit Verdot

Right Bank
1. Merlot
2. Cabernet Franc
3. Cabernet Sauvignon

Characteristics

Left Bank - This area is known for its gravelly soils and graphite-driven red wines with a dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The wines from Médoc are some of the boldest and most tannic of Bordeaux, perfect for aging or matching with red meat.

Right Bank - This area in Bordeaux is known for its red clay soils that produce bold plummy red wines with a dominance of Merlot. The wines from around Libourne are still moderately bold, but generally have softer, more refined tannins.

Our Bordeaux History

We have been producing our Bordeaux Blend prodominatly right bank Merlot/Cabernet Franc since our 2nd vintage.

In recent years we have embrased our love of this style of wine which is perfectly suited to Orange as we share a similar climate to Bordeaux and will prooduce Single Variety Bordeaux style wines and a Left and Right Bank style to bring a bit of France to Orange.

The Main Grapes of Bordeaux

PRIMARY FLAVOURS

  • Black Cherry
  • Black Currant
  • Cedar
  • Baking Spices
  • Graphite

 

TASTE PROFILE

  • Dry
  • Full Body
  • Medium-high Tannins
  • Medium Acidity
  • 13.5–15% ABV

 

Fun Facts About Cabernet

  1. The world’s most popular red wine grape is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France. Cabernet Sauvignon is loved for its high concentration and age worthiness.
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon means “wild Cabernet” and the grape originated in the Aquitaine Department of France.
  3. In 1997, researchers at UC Davis (Carole Meredith and John Bowers) shocked the world. They discovered Cabernet Sauvignon was a child of Sauvignon Blanc (and Cabernet Franc).
  4. One of the intriguing similarities shared amongst the Bordeaux varieties is the presence of an aromatic compound group also found in green bell pepper (called methoxypyrazine).

PRIMARY FLAVOURS

  • Cherry
  • Plum
  • Chocolate
  • Bay Leaf
  • Vanilla

 

TASTE PROFILE

 
  • Bone-dry
  • Medium-full Body
  • Medium-high Tannins
  • Medium Acidity
  • 13.5–15% Alc

 

Fun Facts About Merlot

  1. Merlot is the child of Cabernet Franc and the rare, Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. This makes Merlot a sibling of Cabernet Sauvignon!
  2. Merlot is the most planted wine grape in Bordeaux, France. It grows in the same climates as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot
  3. Merlot wine can be easily confused in a blind-tasting. That being said, let blue fruit flavors, softer tannin than Cabernet, and maybe a sultry mocha or chocolate note be your tell!
  4. The name “Merlot” roughly translates to little blackbird; possibly due to dark blue/black coloring, or those pesky little blackbirds that eat the grapes.

PRIMARY FLAVOURS

  • Strawberry
  • Raspberry
  • Bell Pepper
  • Crushed Gravel
  • Chili Pepper

 

TASTE PROFILE

  • Dry
  • Medium Body
  • Medium-high Tannins
  • Medium-high Acidity
  • 11.5-13.5% Alc

 

Facts

  1. Cabernet Franc is the parent grape of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex reds result, with aromas of raspberry, bramble, and bell pepper (pyrazines).
  2. Ampelographers (grape researchers) point to South-West as Cab Franc’s homeland because it’s related to a few other varieties found here.
  3. Cabernet Franc has proven to be very robust and produce good quality wines in a variety of climates. This is a clue to its diversity of tastes.
  4. Wines reveal more tart fruit flavors and heightened acidity from cooler climates.
  5. In warmer areas you’ll find Cabernet Franc delivers more sweet strawberry and dried fruit flavors.
  6. One fascinating flavor in Cabernet Franc wines is a disarming aroma often described as bell pepper. In warmer climates, the aroma is a bit sweeter like roasted red pepper or cayenne spiced chocolate, but the pepper characteristic is notable.

Grape Parantage

Experts say

Tasting Notes

"Bordeaux blend reds are medium to full-bodied with bold aromas of black currant, plums and an earthiness like smelling wet soil or pencil lead. When you taste the wines, they burst with mineral and fruit notes that lead into prickly, savory, mouth-drying tannins. The tannins are often high enough that wines will age for several decades."

Our Bordeaux Blends

Signature Left Bank 2022

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Signature Right Bank 2022

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Signature Cabernet Franc 2022

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Rider Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

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