Red Wines from Bordeaux

Bordeaux Red Wine: The World's Most Famous Wine Region

No region in the world has shaped the global perception of fine wine more than Bordeaux. Its châteaux, its classification system, its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc have set the standard for red wine for over two centuries. At Halles de Quercamps, Bordeaux is in our DNA — our founder Yves Caron built his initial reputation on his knowledge of and relationships within this extraordinary region.

Left Bank vs Right Bank: Understanding the Key Distinction

Bordeaux is divided by the Gironde estuary and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers into the so-called "left bank" and "right bank."

Left Bank (Médoc and Graves): Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on the gravelly soils of the Médoc peninsula. The famous 1855 Classification covers the Médoc châteaux (plus Haut-Brion in Graves), ranking 61 properties as Crus Classés. The key appellations:

1. Pauillac (home to three Premiers Crus: Latour, Lafite, Mouton)
2. Saint-Julien (famously consistent quality across all châteaux)
3. Margaux (elegant, perfumed, feminine)
4. Saint-Estèphe (robust, earthy, long-lived)
5. Moulis and Listrac (excellent value Crus Bourgeois)
6. Haut-Médoc and Médoc (good-value entry points)

Right Bank (Saint-Émilion and Pomerol): Dominated by Merlot, grown on clay and limestone soils. The Saint-Émilion classification was last revised in 2022 and covers over 80 Grands Crus Classés. Pomerol has no official classification but contains some of Bordeaux's most coveted estates (Pétrus, Le Pin).

Graves and Pessac-Léognan: Produces both red and white wines of outstanding quality, often overlooked in favour of the Médoc. The classified growths of Pessac-Léognan represent exceptional value.

Beyond the Classified Estates: Value in Bordeaux

For every Cru Classé, there are dozens of excellent petits châteaux offering genuine quality at very accessible prices:

1. Bordeaux Supérieur: A step above basic Bordeaux, offering ripe, fruit-forward reds for everyday drinking
2. Côtes de Bordeaux: The group of appellations (Blaye, Castillon, Cadillac, Francs) on the right bank fringes, producing characterful reds
3. Cru Bourgeois: 250+ Médoc properties certified for quality, representing excellent value

Bordeaux Vintages: A Brief Guide

Understanding vintages matters enormously in Bordeaux. Some years produce extraordinary wines; others disappoint. Our team is always available to advise on which vintages best suit your needs and budget. Among recent greats: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005.

Buying Bordeaux with Confidence

At Halles de Quercamps, we have 50 years of relationships with Bordeaux properties. We buy directly from châteaux and négociants, ensuring authenticity and competitive pricing. Our UK customers have access to the same allocation wines and rare bottlings as our French clients.