The great potential of South American Bordeaux blends: 22 essential wines
Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have a shared formula for fine wines, taking inspiration from the Bordeaux tradition. These wines are excelling today, thanks to increasingly refined winemaking methods and exceptional vintages.
The course of the leading wine-producing countries of South America was set in the second half of the 19th century. It was determined both by the arrival of French varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon especially – and the savoir-faire of European immigrants.
Meanwhile winery owners would often travel to Bordeaux to learn from the leading châteaux there.
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 22 top South American Bordeaux blends
The early stages of South American viticulture were thus inspired by the grands crus classés, although over time, each country has developed its own formula for its Bordeaux blends. While sticking mainly to Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenère), they have also allowed themselves a little creative license.
South America has enjoyed some of the best vintages in its history – especially 2018, 2019 and 2021. In addition, winemakers have applied unprecedented levels of precision in terms of terroir selection, vineyard management, harvest times and oak regime, using much-improved materials, and a range of formats and sizes.
Thanks to these efforts, many recent Bordeaux blends have proved to be stunning wines destined to become landmarks of New World viticulture. Now is certainly the time to find a place for them in your cellar.
Regional differences
‘After Bordeaux, Chile has the largest surface area under vine with Cabernet Sauvignon on the planet,’ says Michel Friou, winemaker at Almaviva, explaining why the category has become a pillar for Chilean wines.
However, Merlot, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are also widespread across the different Chilean regions, with Cabernet Sauvignon or Carmenère generally providing the base for flagship red wines in Chile, mixed with a combination of the aforementioned grape varieties.
In Argentina, meanwhile, Bordeaux blends are generally built on a base of Malbec. ‘In the mid-19th century there was as much Malbec (Cot) in Bordeaux as Merlot and it was often used for grand cru classé wines, so the leading Argentinian blends are actually based on an ancient formula,’ says Fernando Buscema at Catena Zapata, explaining that Malbec is in fact just as classical a choice as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
Historically, the most exclusive reds produced by wineries in Argentina have been blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot.
Across the Rio de la Plata in Uruguay, meanwhile, most wineries produce a high-end Bordeaux blend that features Tannat, the country’s standout variety.
Below I share my 22 essential wines that embody the delightful potential of these South American Bordeaux blends.
Top 22 South American Bordeaux blends
Related content:
South American Cabernet Sauvignon: setting the standard
Amanda Barnes: My top 10 South American wines of 2021
Almaviva, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2019
Founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro in Puente Alto, Almaviva excels with its Bordeaux-inflected reds created by Michel Friou. Its 2019...
2019
AlmavivaPuente Alto
Cheval des Andes, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Partnering 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira, this has less tannin, density and acidity than the 2017 release, but...
2018
Cheval des Andes
Clos Apalta, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2018
In 2019 Andrea León achieved superlative results at Clos Apalta with a blend of 64% Carmenere, Cabernet Franc and Merlot aged for 25 months in...
2018
Clos ApaltaApalta
Seña, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, 2019
The twenty-fifth vintage of a wine first made in 1995 by the Mondavi and Chadwick families is one of Francisco Baettig’s best editions yet: 60%...
2019
Seña
Bodegas Caro, Caro, Uco Valley, Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Subtle, graceful and perfumed, this carries its structure and concentration lightly, with graphite, cassis and blueberry fruit, fresh acidity and harmonious, caressing tannins. Superb stuff....
2018
Bodegas CaroUco Valley
Catena Zapata, Nicolás Catena Zapata, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Made with grapes from pre-phylloxera massal selections of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec from the Uco Valley, this blend from Catena Zapata was fermented in oak,...
2018
Catena ZapataUco Valley
Bemberg Estate Wines, Pionero, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2016
‘I think this is my best wine,’ says Daniel Pi regarding this red which combines 65% Malbec with 30% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from...
2016
Bemberg Estate WinesGualtallary
Bodega Garzon, Balasto, Maldonado, Uruguay, 2017
An assemblage of 50% Tannat, 40% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Marselan grown in the granite soils of Garzón, Uruguay, this is a...
2017
Bodega Garzon
Bodegas Bianchi, Enzo Bianchi Gran Corte, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
First launched in 1994, this tribute to the historic director of Bodegas Bianchi is one of the most classical Bordeaux blends in Mendoza. Made with...
2018
Bodegas BianchiSan Rafael
Casa Donoso, D Domaine Reserve, Maule Valley, Chile, 2018
Casa Donoso used grapes from the Maule Valley for their flagship wine, which in 2018 was made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec and Cabernet Franc...
2018
Casa Donoso
Familia Deicas, Preludio, Canelones, Uruguay, 2016
Since 1992, Preludio is an iconic South American red wine that is born from a careful selection of barrels, today in charge of Santiago Deicas....
2016
Familia Deicas
Finca Sophenia, Synthesis The Blend, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
Roberto Luka makes Finca Sophenia’s iconic wine with grapes from Gualtallary, Uco Valley. The 2017 is an assemblage of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Malbec with...
2017
Finca SopheniaGualtallary
J Bouchon, Granito, Maule Valley, Chile, 2019
The ancient granite soils of the vineyard tended by the Bouchon family in Mingre, Maule Valley, provide the grapes for this pure, distinctive red, which...
2019
J Bouchon
Koyle, Auma, Los Lingues, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2017
Auma is a high-end biodynamic wine made by Cristóbal Undurraga in Los Lingues, an area of Colchagua with basalt soils that lend an intriguing character...
2017
KoyleLos Lingues
Pulenta Estate, Gran Corte VII, Luján de Cuyo, Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Made with grapes from a vineyard planted by Antonio Pulenta in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo in 1992, this blend has been made since 2002. The...
2018
Pulenta EstateLuján de Cuyo
Viña Vik, Milla Cala, Cachapoal Valley, Chile, 2018
A modern Bordeaux blend made by Cristian Vallejo who combines Cabernet Sauvignon with 18% Carmenere, 14% Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot from Millahue, Cachapoal. Aged...
2018
Viña Vik
Laberinto, Cenizas de Laberinto Mezcla Tinta, Maule Valley, Chile, 2017
Rafael Tirado uses grapes grown in the volcanic ash soils of his labyrinthine vineyard in Colbun, Maule Valley, for this blend made up of 60%...
2017
Laberinto
Rutini Wines, Apartado Gran Blend, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
Mariano Di Paola combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary with Malbec from La Consulta and Syrah from Paraje Altamira for this Bordeaux-inspired blend...
2017
Rutini WinesUco Valley
Bodegas Salentein, Numina Gran Corte, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Using grapes from high altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley, Jorge Cabeza and José Galante made this 2018 assemblage with 66% Malbec (co-fermented with 4%...
2018
Bodegas SalenteinUco Valley
San Pedro, Sideral, Cachapoal Valley, Chile, 2020
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon made with grapes from the Cachapoal Valley and aged for 14 months in oak (10% in foudres) Sideral is a modern expression...
2020
San Pedro
Lagarde, Henry Gran Guarda, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
Henry Gran Guarda is Bodega Lagarde's high end brand that combines grapes from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley – 38% Malbec, 28% Cabernet...
2017
Lagarde
Santa Rita, Triple C, Alto Jahuel, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2019
A classic among Chilean Bordeaux blends, Triple C is a blend of mostly Cabernet Franc with Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley, which...
2019
Santa RitaAlto Jahuel
