{"title":"Bordeaux Wine","description":"\u003cp\u003eBordeaux is the benchmark for blended red wine, built primarily around Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot alongside smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The region splits along the Gironde estuary into two distinct styles: the Left Bank favours Cabernet Sauvignon on gravelly soils, producing structured, age-worthy wines, while the Right Bank leans on Merlot for something softer and more approachable early on. A classification system dating back to 1855 still shapes how the Left Bank's top estates are ranked and priced today. If Merlot on its own is what interests you, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/merlot\"\u003eMerlot\u003c\/a\u003e covers examples from beyond Bordeaux too, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/red-blend\"\u003eRed Blend\u003c\/a\u003e is worth a look for other multi-variety reds we carry. For the wider French range, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/french-wine\"\u003eFrench Wine\u003c\/a\u003e covers everything else on offer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"croix-de-marsan-bordeaux","title":"Croix de Marsan Bordeaux 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCroix de Marsan Bordeaux\u003c\/strong\u003e A supple, fruit-led Bordeaux red built around Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc adding shape and lift. Blackberry, cassis and ripe cherry sit at the centre, joined by sweet spice and a gentle toastiness. The palate is rounded and easy-moving, with fine tannins, balanced freshness and a smooth, savoury finish. Made in the Entre-deux-Mers by the family-owned Vignobles Gonfrier, it brings classic claret character in a particularly approachable style. Pour it with roast lamb, duck, beef sausages or a mushroom-rich casserole, and give it a brief spell in the decanter before serving.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 is approximately 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, grown on clay-limestone slopes and gravelly sites in the Entre-deux-Mers. The fruit was destemmed before a 48-hour cold soak and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in tank. The wine was matured for 12 months using stainless steel and oak barrels, including 10% new oak. Deep ruby in colour, it shows blackcurrant, ripe cherry and sweet spice, with a supple texture, fine tannins and a rounded finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Vauron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182011048303,"sku":"100114","price":119.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/CroixdeMarsanBordeaux.jpg?v=1785119082"},{"product_id":"chateau-le-clou-du-pin-bordeaux-rouge","title":"Chateau Le Clou du Pin Bordeaux Rouge 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Le Clou du Pin Bordeaux Rouge\u003c\/strong\u003e is a modern, Merlot-led Bordeaux from an eight-hectare family estate near Gensac. Made from 71% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, it favours supple fruit and silky texture over heavy oak or firm, austere tannins. Medium bodied, harmonious and immediately approachable, it offers classic Bordeaux character in an easy-drinking style that works equally well at the dinner table or on its own. Pair it with roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom dishes or a simple charcuterie platter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2023 vintage has a fresh, expressive nose of ripe red fruit with distinctive notes of turmeric and clove. A gently sweet-fruited entry leads into a smooth, full palate supported by a very silky tannin structure. The wine is harmonious and easy to drink, with the generous fruit and rounded texture characteristic of its Merlot-dominant blend. The vineyard is planted on clay and limestone soils near the village of Gensac in Bordeaux.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Vauron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182011113839,"sku":"100115","price":131.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauLeClouduPinBordeauxRouge.jpg?v=1785119553"},{"product_id":"chateau-laubes-bordeaux-rouge","title":"Chateau Laubes Bordeaux Rouge 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Laubes Bordeaux Rouge\u003c\/strong\u003e is an approachable, classically styled Bordeaux from the small commune of Escoussans, near Cadillac. An equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon brings together ripe fruit, smoothness and enough tannic structure to give the wine shape without making it overly firm. Spice and toasted oak add savoury depth, creating a balanced red suited to both casual drinking and the dinner table. Pair it with peppered steak, roast duck, game dishes or slow-cooked beef.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe palate is ample, balanced and persistent, with notes of red fruit, cinnamon and coffee. The vineyard occupies south and southwest-facing hillsides overlooking the Garonne, where varied soils and good natural drainage contribute to the wine's character. Made from 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines generous fruit with measured tannins, spice and firm toasted-wood flavours in the background.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Vauron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182011244911,"sku":"100117","price":149.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauLaubesBordeauxRouge.jpg?v=1785119691"},{"product_id":"chateau-villefranche-graves","title":"Chateau Villefranche Graves 22\/23","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Villefranche Graves\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rich, traditionally styled Bordeaux red from a historic family estate based near Barsac. The current bottling combines concentrated fruit with the savoury, smoky character associated with the gravelly soils of Graves, offering enough depth and structure for the dinner table while remaining rounded and approachable. A satisfying choice for drinkers who enjoy classic Bordeaux without excessive weight or austerity, it pairs naturally with roast beef, lamb, game, mushroom dishes and mature cheeses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRich and ripe, opening with aromas of dark plum, spice and wood. Concentrated red-fruit flavours fill the palate, supported by smoky intensity and a firm, balanced structure. Château Villefranche has belonged to the Guinabert family since the middle of the 17th century. Its Graves red vineyard combines clay-limestone and sandy-gravel soils, bringing complexity to the wine and contributing to its distinctive mixture of generous fruit and savoury character.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Vauron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182011277679,"sku":"100118","price":161.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauVillefrancheGraves.jpg?v=1785119911"},{"product_id":"chateau-peymouton-saint-emilion-grand-cru","title":"Chateau Peymouton Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Peymouton Saint-Émilion Grand Cru\u003c\/strong\u003e is a polished, Merlot-led Bordeaux from the historic Château Laroque estate, just east of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion. Its blend of 72% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon combines generous fruit with freshness, fine tannins and classic Right Bank savouriness. Medium bodied and elegant rather than imposing, the 2019 vintage has now had time to soften and open up beautifully. Serve it with roast lamb, beef, duck, mushroom dishes or mature cheeses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDeep ruby in colour, with a rich and elegant nose of blackcurrant and plum. The palate opens with power before fine, silky tannins reveal ripe red-fruit flavours and subtle minerality through the fresh finish. The fruit was harvested parcel by parcel from clay and limestone soils, then gently vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and matured partly in French oak barrels.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling, 91\/100 (2019 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"A firm, savoury young Bordeaux with tobacco, redcurrant and crushed-stone character, as well as some bark.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Maison Vauron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182011343215,"sku":"100120","price":287.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauPeymoutonSaintEmilionGrandCru.jpg?v=1785121949"},{"product_id":"chateau-baulac-sauternes-375ml","title":"Chateau Baulac Sauternes 375ml 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Baulac Dodijos Sauternes 375ml\u003c\/strong\u003e is a richly flavoured sweet Bordeaux made entirely from Sémillon affected by noble rot. Honey, ripe apricot and mango meet candied citrus, saffron, vanilla and marzipan, while a smooth, full palate is kept lively by balancing acidity. Twelve months in French oak adds warmth and gentle spice before a long, luscious finish. Presented in a handy half-bottle, it is an excellent choice when a full-sized dessert wine feels excessive. Serve lightly chilled with Roquefort, foie gras, almond tart or a dark chocolate ganache.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau Baulac Dodijos is produced from 100% Sémillon grown in a 10-hectare vineyard in Barsac, within the Sauternes appellation. The vines average around 40 years of age and grow in clay-limestone soils. Botrytis concentrates the fruit, creating the sweetness and intensity associated with Sauternes. The 2022 wine was matured in French oak barrels for 12 months and is described as showing honey, apricot, candied orange, saffron, vanilla and marzipan, with a rich texture and long finish. The wine is vegan-friendly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Vauron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182012293487,"sku":"100149","price":149.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauBaulacSauternes375ml.jpg?v=1784858330"},{"product_id":"chateau-ad-francos-rouge","title":"Chateau Ad Francos Rouge 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Ad Francos Rouge\u003c\/strong\u003e is a concentrated Right Bank Bordeaux from Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, one of the region's smallest and most easterly appellations. Merlot provides generous fruit and breadth, while Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon add perfume, freshness and structure. The 2016 vintage now brings useful bottle maturity to its powerful, finely balanced style, making it an appealing alternative for drinkers who enjoy Saint-Émilion-inspired reds. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2016 blend is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on the estate's clay and limestone soils. The grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed and moved by gravity into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks without crushing. Pumping over and punching down are used during fermentation before the wine matures for 12 to 18 months in the château's naturally cool, semi-underground cellar. Fresh cherry, red fruit, fine spice and restrained oak lead into a full, structured palate balancing power with elegance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Anson, Decanter, 93\/100 (2016 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It is a concentrated wine, still extremely young for the moment, with a general register of black fruits and subtle toasted almonds.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sante Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182025007471,"sku":"100525","price":449.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauAdFrancosRouge.jpg?v=1785128155"},{"product_id":"domaine-bouyer-ambrosius-st-emilion-grand-cru","title":"Domaine Bouyer \"Ambrosius\" St Emilion Grand Cru 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDomaine Bouyer \"Ambrosius\" Saint-Émilion Grand Cru\u003c\/strong\u003e is the flagship cuvée of Château Milon, a family-run Right Bank estate with more than seven generations of winegrowing history. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc gives the wine generous dark fruit and a rounded texture, balanced by fine tannins and the freshness needed for a long, composed finish. Rich and structured without becoming overly imposing, the 2020 vintage can be enjoyed now or allowed to develop further. Pair it with roast lamb, duck, slow-cooked beef, mushrooms or aged cheeses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRed and black fruit lead the nose, followed by a balanced, concentrated palate with impressive depth and length. The fruit comes from Château Milon's vineyards at the foot of the Saint-Émilion slopes, where Merlot and Cabernet Franc grow across gravelly, sandy and clay-rich soils. The grapes are harvested by hand, with the finished wine matured in a combination of new and once-used French oak barrels to build structure and complexity while preserving its ripe fruit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sante Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182025269615,"sku":"100527","price":299.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/DomaineBouyerAmbrosiusStEmilionGrandCru.jpg?v=1785127870"},{"product_id":"chateau-haut-la-greniere-lussac-saint-emilion","title":"Chateau Haut La Greniere Lussac Saint Emilion 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Haut La Grenière Lussac-Saint-Émilion\u003c\/strong\u003e is a fruit-forward Right Bank Bordeaux from a small family estate in the satellite appellation of Lussac-Saint-Émilion. Its Merlot-led blend combines rounded texture and ripe berry fruit with the fragrance and structure of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured without oak, the 2023 vintage retains a fresh, approachable personality while fine tannins provide enough shape for the dinner table. Enjoy it with roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, mushroom dishes or mature cheeses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRaspberry aromas lead into juicy blackberry fruit, with a balanced palate and a smooth, harmonious structure. The estate's five hectares of approximately 35-year-old vines grow on clay and limestone soils and are planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is vinified and matured entirely in concrete tanks, preserving the blend's freshness, fruit expression and supple character.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sante Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182025564527,"sku":"100536","price":209.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauHautLaGreniereLussacSaintEmilion.jpg?v=1785126589"},{"product_id":"chateau-branas-grand-poujeaux-les-eclats-de-branas-moulis-en-medoc","title":"Chateau Branas Grand Poujeaux Les Eclats de Branas Moulis En Medoc 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChateau Branas Grand Poujeaux Les Eclats de Branas Moulis En Medoc\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChateau Branas Grand Poujeaux Les Eclats de Branas Moulis En Medoc is the second wine of an estate on the Grand Poujeaux plateau in Moulis-en-Médoc that has risen quickly since Justin Onclin, previously known for his work at Château Villemaurine in Saint-Émilion, took over and restored it in 2002. The seventeen hectare property sits on old Günzian gravel over limestone, geology shared with some of the Médoc's most celebrated terroirs further north. Les Eclats is made from an even split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, fermented with alternating pump overs and a maceration that builds roundness and volume into an already well balanced base wine. It's designed to be approachable earlier than the flagship Chateau Branas Grand Poujeaux, without losing the estate's underlying elegance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect an elegant, well balanced wine with plenty of fruit character, supple tannins and measured oak handling that make it genuinely enjoyable even in its youth. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot gives it structure without heaviness, and the estate's winemaking team, guided by consultant Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus, aim for the same purity and freshness that has helped lift the wider Chateau Branas range in recent vintages. It's built to drink well now while still having enough backbone to reward a few years in the cellar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dhall \u0026 Nash","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182027366767,"sku":"100591","price":221.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauBranasGrandPoujeauxLesEclatsdeBranasMoulisEnMedoc2018.jpg?v=1783924823"},{"product_id":"chateau-la-chapelle-maillard-rouge","title":"Chateau La Chapelle Maillard Rouge 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChateau La Chapelle Maillard Rouge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom the hillsides of the Dordogne at the edge of the Saint-Emilion appellation, this Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc has been certified organic since the 1980s, grown and made with minimal intervention to let the terroir speak for itself. Merlot dominant and aged for twelve months in seasoned oak, it shows a deep purple colour and a generous nose of ripe red and black fruit. On the palate it is round and velvety, with soft, approachable tannins and plenty of dark plum character running through to a silky finish. Accessible now, it also has the structure to develop further over the next five to eight years. At 13% ABV, it is a genuinely food friendly, organically farmed Bordeaux for everyday enjoyment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat the winery says: Chateau La Chapelle Maillard sits on Castillon clay and Saint-Emilion limestone, on the hillside above the Dordogne, with vines that surround the ancient umbrella pine pictured on the label. The estate has held organic certification since the early 1980s, keeping treatments in the vineyard to an absolute minimum and taking the same restrained approach in the winery, with traditional vinification methods used to preserve the wine's natural character. The colour is a deep, attractive purple, with a fruity nose of ripe fruit leading into a textured, rounded palate with velvety softness and a silky, persistent finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dhall \u0026 Nash","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182027792751,"sku":"100604","price":161.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauLaChapelleMaillardRouge2021_aca2ec1e-1262-444d-a500-db26501f94d3.jpg?v=1783922506"},{"product_id":"chateau-de-hartes-bordeaux-rouge","title":"Chateau De Hartes Bordeaux Rouge 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChateau de Hartes Bordeaux Rouge\u003c\/strong\u003e is a cabernet dominant blend from the 2022 vintage in France's Bordeaux region, produced to be enjoyed in its youth as an uncomplicated but rewarding red. It shows a deep purple ruby colour with a clean nose giving pride of place to ripe, delicious red fruit. The palate is full and fleshy, warmed by melted tannins into a consistent, fragrant Bordeaux that still carries the freshness of youth. Approachable and nicely structured, it benefited from the glorious conditions of the 2022 vintage and is bottled at 13.5% alcohol, making it a highly recommended, easy-drinking introduction to Bordeaux style.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChateau de Hartes writes of the 2022 Bordeaux Rouge: \"Deep color, purple ruby. Clean nose, giving pride of place to a ripe and delicious red fruit. Full, fleshy, warm palate with melted tannins. A consistent Bordeaux, fragrant, still young.\" The winery positions it as an approachable, nicely structured, cabernet dominant Bordeaux that benefited from the glorious conditions of the 2022 vintage, produced to be enjoyed in its youth as an uncomplicated but truly rewarding French red.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182031528303,"sku":"100716","price":131.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/ChateauDeHartesBordeauxRouge2022.jpg?v=1783710772"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/bordeaux-wine.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}