Welcome to Bordeaux Breakdown: Everything You Need to Know About Bordeaux! In this video, John Jackson DipWSET a/k/a Attorney Somm discusses the Bordeaux wine region and Bordeaux wines in detail, including the following:
-Why is Bordeaux so special
-Bordeaux’s climate and diverse soils
-the primary grapes used in Bordeaux for red wines and white wines
-Right Bank vs. Left Bank
-Bordeaux wine classifications including the 1855 classification of Bordeaux, the Graves classification, the St. Emilion classification and Cru Bourgeois
-second wines and second labels
-the importance of vintages in Bordeaux
-why Bordeaux wine quality has never been higher
-considerations for aging Bordeaux
#wine #bordeaux #bordeauxwine
ATTORNEY SOMM’S COMPLETE BORDEAUX VIDEO PLAYLIST
FIRST GROWTH BORDEAUX VIDEOS
Chateau Margaux (2025): https://youtu.be/3HuiTxY1vJg
Chateau Latour (2025): https://youtu.be/pI94Ca0E5rw
Chateau Latour: https://youtu.be/4aMwyGMYHnc
Chateau Haut-Brion: https://youtu.be/J1x3huj7dVw
Chateau Mouton Rothschild: https://youtu.be/ykpkODVhPmM
Chateau Margaux: https://youtu.be/b2DYnPD4rjc
Chateau Lafite: https://youtu.be/Nnp8or_t9Hg
Mouton’s Artistic Wine Labels: https://youtube.com/shorts/0VpqzrIaiu4?feature=share
Mouton’s Elevation to First Growth: https://youtube.com/shorts/wsL53HkdXFE?feature=share
2017 Chateau Latour: https://youtube.com/shorts/GlOW68j7ngk?feature=share
2016 Chateau Latour: https://youtube.com/shorts/KSh_yRp2tUI?feature=share
CLASSIFIED GROWTH BORDEAUX VIDEOS
Inside Bordeaux’s Super Second Elite: https://youtu.be/2OlewNBHW0Y
“Super Second Bordeaux” video: https://youtu.be/18Em534gAzI
Second Growth Bordeaux video: https://youtu.be/DAH43ihkOH8
Third Growth Bordeaux video: https://youtu.be/VqtASk4rSKU
Fourth Growth Bordeaux video: https://youtu.be/Wspyd_N-Jhk
Fifth Growth Bordeaux video, part 1: https://youtu.be/C2O6EoSbOUc
Fifth Growth Bordeaux video, part 2: https://youtu.be/FPVlYA5vvDI
BORDEAUX SECOND WINE VIDEOS
Right Bank Bordeaux Top Second Wines: https://youtu.be/Cr1mGvG9MRw
Left Bank Bordeaux Top Second Wines: https://youtu.be/lv6pW5dJyQs
BORDEAUX VIDEOS ABOUT SPECIFIC LEFT BANK WINERIES
La Mission Haut-Brion: https://youtu.be/qrBIxjzXPic
Cos d’Estournel: https://youtu.be/806EDIM4TlM
Pichon Comtesse (2025): https://youtu.be/TfNysX8XjXI
Ducru Beaucaillou: https://youtu.be/1hZgtahmWDA
Montrose: https://youtu.be/eu1Zi4MKm14
Pichon Lalande & Pichon Baron: https://youtu.be/L54EeBNIkPA
Pichon Lalande: https://youtu.be/RvkMbjqZ-ng
Pichon Baron: https://youtu.be/4JMpD1J26x4
Chateau Palmer: https://youtu.be/_BBsqooJrTU
Chateau Lynch-Bages: https://youtu.be/9ihXZekTcrc
Pontet Canet: https://youtu.be/kVNxVJQxrrI
The Three Leovilles: https://youtu.be/49se0pDab9I
RIGHT BANK WINERIES
Angelus: https://youtu.be/pu-MSMrDzN8
Cheval Blanc: https://youtu.be/W-tYIUrMV4w
La Conseillante: https://youtu.be/ohsSzpok8jw
Belair-Monange: https://youtu.be/B7mg3RPTPLY
BORDEAUX RECOMMENDATIONS BY VINTAGE
2020 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/ChVuihUGbQI
2021 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/W6e-LlwIE44
2022 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/IFWnnw3CQB8
2023 Bordeaux: 9 Must-Have Wines: https://youtu.be/fYHgIJuY7tc
2023 Bordeaux: 11 Bordeaux Best Buys: https://youtu.be/o7yn3ttFqQE
2024 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/7vDcko9qudg
BORDEAUX WINE TASTING VIDEOS
1998 Right Bank vs. Left Bank Tasting: https://youtu.be/0gcjgZD-iog
1990 First-Growth Bordeaux Tasting: https://youtu.be/s207yprBvdU
Ducru Beaucaillou Vertical Tasting: https://youtu.be/23G_nLnnoqw
MORE BORDEAUX VIDEOS
I Visited 3 Right Bank Legends: Here’s What I Learned: https://youtu.be/QmwXMp9oz_o
10 Top $30 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/EIrbwWIZy4k
10 Top $40 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/PWsPmMknWdA
10 Top $50 Bordeaux Wines: https://youtu.be/t64Nd_Yn7wE
7 Top $50 Bordeaux Wines: https://youtu.be/diB4M3RIbIQ
9 Top $75 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/fssmKcmSzwE
10 Top $75 Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/aZaHVvl4oV8
Bordeaux En Primeur: https://youtu.be/BA-oi1_ZWKk
Saint Emilion Overview: https://youtube.com/shorts/3BAkET5d9Ms?feature=share
Bordeaux Breakdown: All You Need to Know About Bordeaux: https://youtu.be/fuMpGPkxDX8
Bordeaux Bootcamp: https://youtu.be/UmwAcvQyokQ
WINE ACCESSORIES I USE
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DISCLOSURE
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29 Comments
Hi John, thanks for sharing.. I didn't know about the additional grape types to the approved 13 due to global warming…
First growth quality (none first growth wines) would be Ducru, LLC, PLL, Montrose and Palmer, of course very vintage dependant.
If I had to choose one classified growth to elevate to 1st growth, my vote would go to Cos.
Great content ! One wine that is not in the 1855 classification that I love is Smith haut Lafitte. Definitely worth of been in the top tear list ! Cheers !
As a seriously passionate Bordeaux enthusiast, this video greatly resonates with me. I very much appreciate the detailed insights and information you have included here which, in effect, show us how special this wine region truly is. You have covered all the important topics, discussing each part with evident intelligence and compelling expertise. From terroir and grape varieties to aging considerations and incredible wine quality, this excellently produced video, no doubt, sets the bar for all and any discussions of everything Bordeaux.🍷 Bravo, John! Santé!
As has already been commented, a very well done set of "Cliff's Notes" to Bordeaux. I learned something as well, so a bonus. Nice job!
Chateau Palmer to go up.
Pontet Canet for sure needs an upgrade 👍🏻
Such an amazing video. Ur the best
Good video, John. Talking of good Bordeaux, I have enjoyed a half-bottle of Doisy-Vedrines, 2013, this weekend. Do you enjoy sweet wines and is Sauternes your favourite? Also, have you done a video on stickies?
A terrific overview with nice depth for Bordeaux!👍👍
I see there is a subliminal message in favor of Pichon Lalande!😎😁
You said nothing i can disagree with..
As for my picks for 1 cru.. La mission. comtess, Las cases..
But i think 5 is enough. 😁
great video about the bordeaux region !
such a great channel. thank you Attorney Somm
Excellent. Merci!
That’s an amazing shirt.
i thought right bank was mostly merlot and left bank mostly (meaning more than 50%) cab sauvignon, not whatever blend proportions they wanted… 2:33
@16:18— "2009 was known as earlier drinking Bordeaux; 2010 more structured" …Oddly, the only wine that was over-the-hill in 2023, was 2010 Ferran(early drinker), while 2009 Haut Carles is still drinking well thru 2024. I consider 2009 & 2015 similar, and 2010 & 2016 similar.
great video like always!
Hi John? Did you take a look at that wine list I sent you? It's mostly Italian vintage wines, but in the end there are some French wines like Château Latour 1961, 1993, La Mission Haut Brion, Château Palmer. At what price do you get these wines? I'm curious 😂
I'll be honest John, I don't understand how you have the time to be an attorney and still know SO MUCH about the wine world at the same time! You are great at explaining things for us amateurs and so far you've been killing it with the QPR tips on what bottles I can find here in Scandinavia. Love the lists of different price ranges but also these informative videos, cheers!
great content. Perphas a deep dive and comparing the growth vs 2 wines and summariese the best of the seconds for price performance.
imho, Pontet-Canet is underrated – it deserves 3ème Cru or even 2ème Cru classification. La Mission-Haut-Brion should be first growth, also Léoville-Las-Cases. On the other hand, I can't understand some hypes currently happening! Les Carmes-Haut-Brion, Château Pavie, Troplong-Mondot and Lagrange: they are imho produced in a somehow stretched manner: too much extract, too much new oak and so. A great wine is first defindes by its terroir and exposition and has some kind of unique character, like e.g. Kirwan, La Lagune or Mouton-Rothschild. Château Montrose, are Château Latour are very tannic, massive wines – but NEVER complex (yes, that's my holy opinion!!!!!).,
Pichon-Lalande and Lynch-Bages are imho a bit overrated, or let's say, at least a bit overpriced. But le'ts look in the positive way: some second wines or second labels would even be worth to be classified!
i will be visiting Bordeaux in june! do you have any recommendations on which chateaus to visit?
My wife and I have booked a city break in July and have booked a tour of Pape Clement. Are there any other Chateau not too far out front the city that you could recommend for a half day visit?
Nothing draws me in like a really good, aged Bordeaux.
Biggest jumps would the fifths going to second, namely Pontet-canet and lynch bages. I would also expect grand puy Lacoste and d’armailhac to move up to thirds. Clerc milon would probably move up to fourth.
Fourths I think would largely stay the same, talbot and beychevelle up to third. Pouget down to fifth.
Thirds I also think are mostly good where they are, Palmer could move up to first. Cantenac-brown up to second.
I’ve honestly not had many seconds, but the ones I’ve had I would keep where they are.
I’ve not had Latour or Lafite, but the other firsts are definitely ranked correctly.
Excellent review John.
I've heard Bordeaux wine vineyards are not permitted to be watered. California waters at will.