The blend benefits from the best attributes of each of the different varietals and is also capable of ageing gracefully, making it a wine of many dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s also widely available thanks to the enormous size of the Bordeaux region \u2013 it covers an area of 120,000 hectares under vines and includes about 10,000 different wines made by about 7,500 different producers from about 60 different appellations (sub-regions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stylistically there can be significant variation in features and taste depending on the origin of the wine as those from the \u201cleft bank\u201d are primarily made on a cabernet sauvignon grape while those from the \u201cright bank\u201d and based on merlot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sadly, you won\u2019t be able to scrape the loose change out of the ashtray to buy a good Bordeaux red as you don\u2019t get much for less than $50 a bottle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to experience the better blends from the more prestigious producers, you can expect to spend over $1,000 a bottle! So if like me, you\u2019re a disciple of the style but don\u2019t want to spend a king\u2019s ransom in pursuit of oenological happiness, it might be worthwhile looking to local regions who are making red blends from the same grapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve really enjoyed some Bordeaux style blends from the Yarra Valley in Victoria, but I recently stumbled across one from the Orange region in New South Wales which is a pretty good example of the classic blend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Patina Wines<\/a> \u201cJezza\u201d<\/a> 2016 is made by winemaker, Gerald Naef, using a blend of 75% merlot, 17% cabernet franc, 7% cabernet and 1% pete verdot. The \u201cJezza\u201d<\/a> was first made in 2003 and is only made in exceptional vintages. Being based on merlot, it reminds more of a right bank blend but without the chalkiness or dustiness that we sometimes see on the finish of the real deal. According to the winemaker, he looks for \u201cflavour, colour, freshness and good tannin structure\u201d in selecting the grapes to use in Patina\u2019s flagship red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2016 vintage enjoyed near perfect conditions, so the fact that the Jezza was thoroughly enjoyable shouldn\u2019t be a surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the nose, there were hints of cedar, cassis and fragrant violets, but once on the palate characters of hazelnut and blueberry emerge and meld with savoury nuances of roasted capsicum and saddle leather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a fruit-driven wine with plenty of ripeness and energy through the middle and a complexity that evolves as the flavours unfurl through an ever so slightly tannic and spicy conclusion. It\u2019s still not what you\u2019d call a budget-friendly wine at the $65 price point, but much better value than buying something with the terms \u201cfirst growth\u201d or \u201cgrand cru\u201d on the label!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Patina version of the Bordeaux icon wine is just about the best wine I\u2019ve tasted from the Orange region \u2013 and I\u2019m a big fan or their sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, so that\u2019s saying something!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Bordeaux blend style of red is up there with the bestselling in the world, and for good reason. The blend benefits from the best attributes of each of the different varietals and is also capable of ageing gracefully, making it a wine of many dimensions. And it\u2019s also widely available thanks to the enormous…
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