Pop open a bottle of Bordeaux, and you’re almost guaranteed to be in for something special. The famous wine region is well-known for its elite pours and historic vineyards. But a great Bordeaux is so much more than pricey, high-end bottles. Last year, Wine Enthusiast's intrepid tasters sipped their way through more than 23,000 bottles. Each one was evaluated via a rigorous blind-tasting process, through which the best and most interesting pours were ascertained. These were not always the most expensive or exclusive, but wines that excited our tasters' palates and roused their senses of wonder. The best of the bunch made the cut for the Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2023. In the mix are an exceptional group of Bordeaux wines. They include an offering made from 100-year-old Cabernet Franc vines and aged in amphoras; a juicy Cabernet Sauvignon-forward blend and a perfumed red blend from an estate whose history stretches back to the 4th century. The list goes on and on. "Currently Bordeaux is making some of the best wines in its history," says Writer-at-Large Roger Voss, who reviews wines from France and Portugal. "The wines here are from two of the great recent vintages—2019 and 2020—and the fresher, lighter 2021, all showing the wide range of approaches to style and winemaking and values. They also point to a positive future with more and more fine wines coming on to the market at all price points." A word of warning: Most of these bottles are meant to be carefully stashed in a cellar. Some will drink lovely as early as this year or next, while others will benefit from a cellaring through 2028. Trust us, good things come to those who wait. Why You Should Trust Us All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication. FAQ What Is Bordeaux Wine? Like many European wines, Bordeaux wines are named after the region in which they are produced. Bordeaux is a wine region in France about three hours south of Paris and is well known for its world-class winemaking. The area has a mild ocean climate courtesy of the Atlantic Ocean and is home to over 6,000 winemakers producing in mainly family-run estates. Bordeaux can refer to red or white wines. But red Bordeaux wines make up about 85 percent of wine production—they are often moderately alcoholic, have strong tannins and pair beautifully with food. In contrast, depending on which grapes are present and in what amounts, a white Bordeaux, or Bordeaux Blanc, tends to be fresh and can have notes of citrus, grass and apples. Dry white Bordeaux wines make up just about nine percent of the region's wine production; Bordeaux also produces small amounts of rosé, sweet white and crémant. What Are the Common Bordeaux Grapes? Most Bordeaux wines are not single-varietal, but a blend that contains multiple grape varieties. Red Bordeaux wine often contains the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, but can also be blended with Malbec, Carménère and Petit Verdot. A Bordeaux Blanc typically contains a mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, but can also include a mix of other grapes like Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Merlot Blanc and Mauzac. Which Bordeaux Wine Region Is the Best? Hate to break it to you, but "best" is in the eye—or wine glass?—of the beholder. There are approximately 65 appellations within the Bordeaux wine region, divided into the Left Bank and Right Bank by the Gironde Estuary, where the Dordogne River and the Garonne River meet. The Left-Bank Médoc region is most famous for Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Margaux. This bank also includes Sauternes and Graves. The most famous Right-Bank regions are Saint- Émilion and Pomerol. What Is Bordeaux’s Most Famous Wine? Approximately 85% of the wine produced in the Bordeaux region are red wines made primarily with a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wines labeled Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Supérieur AOC can be grown anywhere within the region, while bottles labeled for the specific appellations (like Pessac-Lèognan AOC or Saint-Émilion AOC) tend to be of higher quality and hold a more prestigious reputation. This is especially true when they hold titles referencing a specific chateau or are classified as Grand Cru Classé, Cru Classé or Cru Bourgeois. Why Is Bordeaux Wine So Expensive? Bordeaux wine is famously expensive; some of the higher-end wines come from renowned chateaus and produce quality pours, making them a pricier pick. But affordable and great-value bottlings are certainly available.