Bordeaux in south-west France is the wine world's benchmark for age-worthy red blends. The Gironde river splits the region into a left and a right bank with different characters.
Left bank (Médoc)
Cabernet Sauvignon dominates here. The wines are tannic, firm and age-worthy, with blackcurrant, cedar and a green note. The classified châteaux from 1855 are here.
Right bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol)
Merlot dominates here. The wines are softer, rounder and more approachable young, with ripe plum and blackberry fruit.
The blend
Classic Bordeaux blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and often Cabernet Franc. Each grape contributes: Cabernet gives structure and ageing, Merlot gives fruit and roundness.
Reading the label
Bordeaux names the wine after the place, not the grape. Learn the appellation (e.g. Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Émilion) and you'll know roughly the style and grape mix you'll get.