BORDEAUX RIGHT BANK GRAPE VARIETIES

Let's continue our Guide to grape varieties with those on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Two rivers cross the Bordeaux region, dividing it into three parts. These are the Garonne and the Dordogne (a handy way of remembering which river is further north: it's the first in alphabetical order), which join to form the Gironde estuary. To find out whether the appellation is on the left or right bank of the river, simply follow the direction of the current.

In this case, the Dordogne and Garonne rivers join the coast to flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Wines to the south of the rivers are therefore on the left bank, while those to the north are on the right.

For the more fastidious, there are 3 right banks: the right bank of the Garonne, the right bank of the Dordogne and the right bank of the Gironde estuary. The best-known right bank is that of the Dordogne, to which we'll add the wines of Blayais and Bourgeais, which are located on the right bank of the estuary.

 

> More than 1000 Bordeaux Grands Crus in stock from 1934 to 2018

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Depending on the appellation, and therefore the soil, certain grape varieties are more suited than others. On the right bank of the Dordogne, our soil is rich in limestone, sand and clay.

Here are the grape varieties that predominate on this bank.

Red grape varieties

The ultra-dominant grape variety on the right bank is Merlot. Often blended with Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon, it can, like its neighbors on the other bank, be complemented by Malbec, Petit Verdot or Carménère.

• Merlot is more round and velvety. It brings fruit aromas, roundness and depth to wines.
• Cabernet Sauvignon produces powerful, tannic wines that generally age well. It is used in blending to build the backbone of the wine.
• Cabernet Franc is present in small quantities in the blending of Bordeaux wines. It gives the wine great balance and notes of red fruit.

 

White grape varieties

White wines are rare on the right bank of the Dordogne. We find a few in the Côtes-de-Blaye, Premières-Côtes-de-Blaye and Bourgeais appellations.

• Colombard and Ugni blancknown for their fresh, exotic wines, are the majority grape varieties in Côtes-de-Blaye.
• Le Sémillon is the main grape variety of Premières-Côtes-de-Blaye. It contributes its characteristic texture and aromatic complexity.
• Sauvignonis an interesting grape variety in a blend. It adds a backbone to the wine. It gives off a citrus fragrance, and for some, honeysuckle.
• La MuscadelleThis grape variety, present in very small quantities, delivers fresh, very fruity wines with exotic notes.

 

> More than 1000 Bordeaux Grands Crus in stock from 1934 to 2018

 

RIGHT BANK APPELLATIONS

Right bank AOCs are generally composed of Merlot, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

They produce fine, elegant wines with great depth. Some of the world's greatest wines can be found on this side of the river.

As a general rule Pomerol, Saint-Émilion and satellites give elegant, rich, mineral wines.

There are also the wines of the Blayais and Bourgeais regions, which offer fruitier, more supple wines.

And last but not least, the wines of Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac bring a touch of terroir and structure to the wines of the Libourne region.

 

IDEAS FOR TASTING RIGHT BANK WINES

Here are a few examples of the wines we offer on Bordeaux's Right Bank: 

• Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - Château de Simard 2005

80 % Merlot / 20 % Cabernet Franc

An emblematic Saint-Émilion château, managed since 2008 by Mr Vauthier, owner of Château Ausone. Château de Simard is made predominantly from Merlot, a perfect expression of its clay and sand soils.

On the nose, notes of black fruits and stone fruits such as prunes. On the palate, a deep, complex wine finishes with a little acidity to balance it all out.

• Pomerol - Château L'Eglise-Clinet 1989

85 % Merlot / 15 % Cabernet Franc

Visit Château L'Église Clinet is one of the appellation's finest wines. It is the fruit of a combination of parcels from Château l'Eglise and part of the former parcels from Château Clinet.

Very few wines are marketed by the domaine, which does not hesitate to make a drastic selection of grapes and downgrade them for the second wine.

The wine surprises with its finesse. Supple, silky and delicate, it's perfect for drinking now. Notes of undergrowth and humus emerge, giving way to a light mouthfeel.

 

• Saint-Émilion - Château Cheval Blanc 1998

A white Saint-Émilion? No... But a white Saint-Émilion!

Château Cheval BlancA few years ago, Saint-Émilion's illustrious Premier Grand Cru Classé A bought a Château adjoining his vineyards. After much research and study, he decided to plant white grapes there! As the commune is not one of the villages eligible for a white wine appellation, the Château's white wine will be marketed under the "Bordeaux" appellation d'origine contrôlée.

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