Exploring Bordeaux Blends: The Best “New World” Bordeaux Blends

Today we are going to review the top Bordeaux-style blends from 6 different new world wine regions. Each region contributes its own signature style to this classic wine blend. We also compare the average prices of wine in each region to help you find the best value Bordeaux blends.

Methodology

In order to compare the best Bordeaux style blends from the “New World,” we looked at the average Global Wine Scores of Bordeaux style blends from 2010–2014 and used the average score over 5 years to determine our rankings. This eliminates some effects of vintage variation since each region will perform differently in each vintage. We also used the average prices from Wine-Searcher.com to compare the relative value of each region.

In our analysis, we included Bordeaux blends from Argentina, Australia, Chile, South Africa, California, and Washington State.

Best Argentine Bordeaux Blends

High altitude vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina

Argentina has built a reputation for excellent Malbec, but they also make many premium Bordeaux blends. These wines generally have high proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, and are sometimes made with only these two grapes. Here are our top 5 Argentine Bordeaux Blends :

1. Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata, Mendoza
2. Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Mendoza
3. Bodega Aleanna, Gran Enemigo, Mendoza
4. Mendel, Unus Malbec — Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
5. Pascual Toso, Finca Pedregal Single Vineyard Malbec — Cabernet Sauvignon, Barrancas

Best Australian Bordeaux Blends

Vineyards in Margaret River, Australia

Australia’s hot climate has helped solidify its reputation for rich, intensely flavored Shiraz, but Bordeaux varieties can also thrive there. Our top Australian Bordeaux style blends come from the Margaret River, on Australia’s western coast, and the Yarra Valley, near Melbourne. Here are our top 5:

1. Vasse Felix, Tom Cullity, Margaret River
2. Mount Mary, Quintet Red Blend, Yarra Valley
3. Cullen, Diana Madeline, Margaret River
4. Vasse Felix, Heytesbury, Margaret River
5. Woodlands — Margaret River, ‘Margaret’ Reserve, Margaret River

Best Californian Bordeaux Blends

Vineyards in Napa Valley, California

California is most famous for its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, but many premium Bordeaux style blends are also made there. The warm, sunny climate is well suited to the Bordeaux grapes and the wines are usually made in a bold, fruit forward style. Since our analysis is only looking at Bordeaux blends, some other famous Napa wines are not included. Here are our top 5:

1. Abreu Vineyard, Thorevilos Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2. Abreu Vineyard, Howell Mountain Red, Napa Valley
3. Harlan Estate, Napa Valley
4. Colgin Cellars, IX Estate Red, Napa Valley
5. Abreu Vineyard, Cappella Proprietary Red, Napa Valley

Best Chilean Bordeaux Blends

Vineyards in the foothills of the Andes mountains in Chile

Chile’s reputation as a premium wine producer has grown in recent years and there are many excellent Bordeaux style blends being made. Winemakers in Chile were largely influenced by the French when French winemakers came to South America to find relief from phylloxera in the mid-1800s. Chile’s signature grape is Carménère, which is native to Bordeaux but is no longer planted there in meaningful quantities. The influence of French winemaking techniques has led to the production of many excellent Bordeaux blends in Chile. Here are our top 5:

1. Seña, Valle del Aconcagua
2. Viña Almaviva, Puente Alto
3. Errázuriz, Viñedo Chadwick, Valle del Maipo
4. Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta, Valle de Colchagua
5. Errázuriz, Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve, Valle de Aconcagua

Best South African Bordeaux Blends

Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa near Cape Town

South Africa is usually classified as a “new world” wine producing country, even though wines have been made in the region for over 350 years. While South Africa’s signature grape is Pinotage, Bordeaux grapes also do well in the warmer regions of Stellenbosch and Paarl, located inland from Cape Town. Here are our top 5 South African Bordeaux blends:

1. Raats Family Wines, MR Mvemve Raats de Compostella, Stellenbosch
2. Vilafonté, Series C, Paarl
3. Kanonkop Estate, Paul Sauer, Stellenbosch
4. De Toren, Fusion V, Stellenbosch
5. Vilafonté, Series M, Paarl

Best Washington State Bordeaux Blends

Vineyards in the Columbia River Gorge in the eastern part of Washington State, USA

Washington has emerged on the world stage in recent years, winning over critics and consumers with premium wines made from traditional Bordeaux grapes as well as Rhône varieties. Located in the northwest corner of the United States, most of the grapes are grown in the arid eastern part of the state which offers a warm, dry climate well suited to Bordeaux grapes. Here are our top 5 Bordeaux blends from Washington State:

1. Leonetti Cellar, Reserve, Walla Walla Valley
2. Cayuse Vineyards, Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley
3. Figgins Estate, Red, Walla Walla Valley
4. Andrew Will Winery, Champoux Vineyard Red, Horse Heaven Hills
5. Cayuse Vineyards, Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley

Comparing Scores

The chart below shows the score range of the top 5 wines for each region. California is clearly the top performer, but Australia, Washington, and Chile all have wines with scores over 94 points. Washington has the second highest average Global Wine Score of the group, at 93.77.

Comparing Prices

In order to assess the value offered by each region, we compared the average score of the top 5 wines of each region with their average price according to Wine-Searcher.com. South Africa offers great value, with prices ranging from 37€-64€ per bottle. The Californian Bordeaux blends were by far the most expensive, ranging from 365€-879€ per bottle. Argentina and Australia have appealing price points with average prices under 100€ per bottle, and Washington is not far behind with prices ranging from 58€-145€ per bottle.

Complete Listing with Scores

Here is the complete listing of the top five wines for each region with their Global Wine Scores and average prices per bottle:

Wrap Up

Our analysis shows that there are great Bordeaux blends coming from the new world that are often offered at very attractive prices. Argentina, Australia, Chile, and Washington all have great offerings with excellent scores and reasonable prices. South Africa also offers great value with wines ranging from 91–93 points. California has the highest scoring wines, however this comes at a large price premium compared to the other regions.

You can view more rankings and use our Bordeaux blend tag to search for more Bordeaux blends on our website!