Bordeaux Right Bank
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Located on France's west coast, on the right side of the Dordogne River, Bordeaux’s Right Bank (as familiarly used by English speakers) covers the Libournais, Bourg and Blaye wine regions. Its reputation for highly sought-after, lush, extremely long-lived, full-bodied red wines is richly deserved. Made primarily from Merlot and generally blended with Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon you could say that right bank, quick-ripening Merlot favours cooler vintages additionally supported by limestone and clay terroir.
The reality is considerably more complex with technology, climate, winemaker and terroir each playing its part. The region is dominated by the (Libournais) Saint-Emilion and Pomerol appellations, such as Ch. Fleur Petrus, Ch. Trotanoy and SC Ch. Lafleur, embodying refined winemaking styles which bring out rounded tannins and layered fruit flavours and minerality.
Winemakers typically age in a combination of old and new oak barrels, to optimise flavour balance. A much rarer commodity in Bordeaux Right Bank is white wine, although the region does produce Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blends (aka 'Bordeaux Blanc') – like its neighbour, Bordeaux Graves. Sémillon lends the combination its rounded, beguiling body, while Sauvignon Blanc is a lively, fresh foil – think Les Champs Libres or Grand Village Blanc.
