For your next wine blend, go for Bordeaux

In the notes below, we overview Left Bank vs Right Bank red Bordeaux blends; also white Bordeaux blends. Use these notes as a guide to making your own blends in the style of Bordeaux.

Bordeaux red blends most often consist of some mixture of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Malbec and Petit Verdot are also added at smaller ratios.
Bordeaux white blends typically consists of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. A little Muscadelle is sometimes added as well.

The Left Bank

france_bordeaux_sauternes_margaux_wines-832647.jpg!d.jpg

The appellations on the Left Bank are the most prestigious : Paulliac, St. Julien, St. Estephe, Margaux, Haut Medoc to name a few. You will find Chateaux Lafite, Mouton Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, and Haut-Brion on the Left Bank and their wines retail for thousands USD.

Grapes of the Left Bank

Cabernet Sauvignon is the main base for the blend here (usually over 60% of the blend), where it is complimented by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and sometimes Petit Verdot.

The Right Bank

Map of the Left and Right Bank of Bordeaux

Less renowned but still famous appellations include Pomerol, Petrus, and St. Emilion.

Grapes of the Right Bank

Merlot is the main base on the Right Bank (usually over 60% of the blend), with Cabernet Franc and sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon consisting of the rest. In many cases built to be enjoyed sooner, these wines are often softer, fruitier, and more round than their Left Bank counterparts.

The White Bordeaux

White Bordeaux (Bordeaux Blanc) can be dry or sweet. The best known dry whites come from Pessac Leognan, and the best known sweet whites come from Sauternes and Barsac.

Grapes of the Bordeaux Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the primary grapes used for either Bordeaux dry or sweet white wine. Typically 70% of dry white Bordeaux are composed of Sauvignon Blanc, and sweet white Bordeaux can consist of 70%-100% Semillon with a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc or still smaller amounts of Muscadelle.

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE BORDEAUX VARIETALS:

Featured

2023 Sauvignon Blanc Lodi CA Frozen Grape Juice

$175.00

Each pail includes five and quarter gallons of grape juice. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Lodi, California

Brix: 20.6, pH 3.73: , TA: 5.5 g/L (Full Lab Report in Photos)

Harvested September 8th, 2023

This Sauvignon Blanc was planted in 1988 in sandy loam soil, and has historically provided light yields that provide fruit with concentrated flavors.

The juice features crisp grassy aromas coupled with flavors of green apple and melon, with hints of tropical (papaya/guava), resulting in a soft, smooth, rounded wine.

“Lying directly east of the largest gap in California’s Coast Ranges – the San Francisco Bay – Lodi experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. During the growing season, warm, sunny days allow for optimal ripening of winegrapes. By contrast, cool winds off the Pacific Ocean which travel inland over a network of waterways act a natural air conditioner for the region, helping winegrapes maintain racy acidity. Together, geography and climate provide Lodi the unique ability to grow an unusually diverse range of winegrapes. Though Lodi is sometimes perceived as a hot-climate region, in reality, average temperatures are comparable to or even lower than other well-known regions like Healdsburg (Sonoma), St. Helena (Napa Valley), and Paso Robles."

“Lodi’s diverse soils were formed thousands of years ago through geological events and alluvial waters. Two major rivers originating in the Sierra Nevada–the Mokelumne and Cosumnes—have brought soils rich in granitic-based minerals that complement the fine sandy loam soils surrounding the community of Lodi. Recent expansion has driven vineyards into previously undeveloped areas along the eastern edge of the appellation where a range of older lower fertility soils are found; these ideal winegrowing soils range from heavier clay-based soils in the south to well-drained stony soils in the north. A few of the more dominant soils in the region include Tokay Fine Sandy Loam, Tuscan Stony Loam, San Joaquin Loam, and Archerdale Clay Loam. The fine, well-draining Tokay Sandy Loam is home to the majority of Lodi's fifty- to one hundred-year-old Zinfandel vines.”

2023 Petite Verdot Sonoma Alexander Valley Frozen Grape Must

$195.00

Each pail includes 5 gallons of grape must

Product will arrive partially frozen.

Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California

Brix: 25.2, pH: 3.55, TA: 4.4g/L, YAN: 70 mg/ L

(Full Lab Report in photos)

Clone 400, 1616

Harvested October 3rd, 2023

Sustainably farmed

“Alexander Valley’s landscape gradually rises on the east into gradual benchland slopes, where soils change to gravelly, sandy loam, balanced in nutrients and organic matter—the result of mountain soils gradually eroding downhill over millennia to deposit layers of rich soils in the benchlands. Primarily Yolo and Cortina, are well-drained due to their sloping elevation and minimal amount of clay; they also possess the ideal calcium magnesium ratio required for high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Cortina’s added gravel texture helps create wines with rich tannins and purity of varietal character. The valley’s first bench snakes along the west side of Highway 128 with its gentle slopes barely noticeable as it rolls into the second bench. These two benchlands create long, lingering swaths of vineyard slopes with soils that elicit soft tannins and intense aroma in Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals.

80% of the Alexander Valley vineyard parcels are grown in the valley’s benchlands and the majority of which are clustered in the middle of the valley at the base of the Mayacama Mountains planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. The quality comes not from the slope of the vineyard, but directly from the soil’s depth and composition.

Weathering, erosion, gravity, and water movement have further moved and settled things into a hodgepodge of soils that require testing and experience to match the right variety, rootstock, amendments and irrigation schemes to each site.”

2023 Malbec Sonoma Alexander Valley Frozen Grape Must

$195.00

Each pail includes 5 gallons of grape must

Product will arrive partially frozen.

Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California

Brix: 23.0, pH: 3.73 TA: 3.71g/L, YAN: 75 mg/ L (full lab report in photos)

Clone 9, 1616C

Harvested October 3rd, 2023

Sustainably farmed

“Alexander Valley’s landscape gradually rises on the east into gradual benchland slopes, where soils change to gravelly, sandy loam, balanced in nutrients and organic matter—the result of mountain soils gradually eroding downhill over millennia to deposit layers of rich soils in the benchlands. Primarily Yolo and Cortina, are well-drained due to their sloping elevation and minimal amount of clay; they also possess the ideal calcium magnesium ratio required for high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Cortina’s added gravel texture helps create wines with rich tannins and purity of varietal character. The valley’s first bench snakes along the west side of Highway 128 with its gentle slopes barely noticeable as it rolls into the second bench. These two benchlands create long, lingering swaths of vineyard slopes with soils that elicit soft tannins and intense aroma in Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals.

80% of the Alexander Valley vineyard parcels are grown in the valley’s benchlands and the majority of which are clustered in the middle of the valley at the base of the Mayacama Mountains planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. The quality comes not from the slope of the vineyard, but directly from the soil’s depth and composition.

Weathering, erosion, gravity, and water movement have further moved and settled things into a hodgepodge of soils that require testing and experience to match the right variety, rootstock, amendments and irrigation schemes to each site.”

2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Alexander Valley Frozen Grape Must

$195.00

Each pail includes 5 gallons of grape must

Product will arrive partially frozen.

Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California

Brix 25.5, pH 3.78, TA: 3.4 g/L, YAN 99 mg/L

(Full Lab for both clones in photos)

Harvested October 3rd, 2023

Sustainably farmed

“Alexander Valley’s landscape gradually rises on the east into gradual benchland slopes, where soils change to gravelly, sandy loam, balanced in nutrients and organic matter—the result of mountain soils gradually eroding downhill over millennia to deposit layers of rich soils in the benchlands. Primarily Yolo and Cortina, are well-drained due to their sloping elevation and minimal amount of clay; they also possess the ideal calcium magnesium ratio required for high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Cortina’s added gravel texture helps create wines with rich tannins and purity of varietal character. The valley’s first bench snakes along the west side of Highway 128 with its gentle slopes barely noticeable as it rolls into the second bench. These two benchlands create long, lingering swaths of vineyard slopes with soils that elicit soft tannins and intense aroma in Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals.

80% of the Alexander Valley vineyard parcels are grown in the valley’s benchlands and the majority of which are clustered in the middle of the valley at the base of the Mayacama Mountains planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. The quality comes not from the slope of the vineyard, but directly from the soil’s depth and composition.

Weathering, erosion, gravity, and water movement have further moved and settled things into a hodgepodge of soils that require testing and experience to match the right variety, rootstock, amendments and irrigation schemes to each site.”

2022 Rosé of Malbec Lodi Frozen Grape Juice

$175.00

Each pail includes five and quarter gallons of grape juice. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Lodi, CA

Brix: 23.4, pH: 4.19, TA: 5.7 g/L

Harvested September 18th, 2022

Malbec seems an unlikely hero for a sparkling or dry blush choice, but when you want your rosé to show some real color and character, then Malbec is the way to go. Whether your final wine is crisp and dry or round and sweet, the lovely strawberry, apple, and rhubarb flavors and aromas are a delight either way.

Lying directly east of the largest gap in California’s Coast Ranges – the San Francisco Bay – Lodi experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. During the growing season, warm, sunny days allow for optimal ripening of winegrapes. By contrast, cool winds off the Pacific Ocean which travel inland over a network of waterways act a natural air conditioner for the region, helping winegrapes maintain racy acidity. Together, geography and climate provide Lodi the unique ability to grow an unusually diverse range of winegrapes. Though Lodi is sometimes perceived as a hot-climate region, in reality, average temperatures are comparable to or even lower than other well-known regions like Healdsburg (Sonoma), St. Helena (Napa Valley), and Paso Robles."“Lodi’s diverse soils were formed thousands of years ago through geological events and alluvial waters. Two major rivers originating in the Sierra Nevada–the Mokelumne and Cosumnes—have brought soils rich in granitic-based minerals that complement the fine sandy loam soils surrounding the community of Lodi. Recent expansion has driven vineyards into previously undeveloped areas along the eastern edge of the appellation where a range of older lower fertility soils are found; these ideal winegrowing soils range from heavier clay-based soils in the south to well-drained stony soils in the north. A few of the more dominant soils in the region include Tokay Fine Sandy Loam, Tuscan Stony Loam, San Joaquin Loam, and Archerdale Clay Loam. The fine, well-draining Tokay Sandy Loam is home to the majority of Lodi's fifty- to one hundred-year-old Zinfandel vines.”

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Frozen Grape Must

$180.00

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

The Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, California

Brix: 22-26, pH: 3.70, TA: .7

Harvested October 27th, 2019

“The District lies at the southern end of the renowned Napa Valley where the growing season is longer—cooler in summer than the warmer Upper Valley and drier in winter allowing soils to warm earlier in the spring. The marine influence from San Pablo Bay is strong here with foggy mornings and cool summer nights. Summer daytime temperatures can average 10°F cooler than St. Helena. This creates the longest growing season in the valley, providing early bud break and a long, leisurely growing season for optimal, balanced ripeness. The cooler nights and slowly rising daytime temperatures create a naturally long hang time for fruit to achieve bright acidity, great texture, fruit-forward aromas and elegant flavors.”
–Oak Knoll District of Napa

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Frozen Grape Must

$175.00

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California

Brix: 29.1, pH: 3.93, TA: .52

Harvested October 26th, 2019

This fruit requires an adjustment to make a dry wine! We recommend adding around 2 liters of distilled water and 30 grams of tartaric acid per pail prior to fermentation. Check out our custom winemaking calculator to fine-tune your winemaking.

The Knights Valley separates the northern tip of the Napa Valley from the Southern end of Sonoma’s Alexander Valley. It is the warmest and most rural AVA in Sonoma County. Beringer Vineyards established the region in the late 1960’s and remains the most prominent name in the area alongside the Peter Michael Winery.

The Knights Valley sits at the foot of Mount St. Helena and lays in the original path of the Russian River. The soils here are a unique combination of being both volcanic from the lava flows off St Helena and granitic alluvial from the old river bed. The land appears rocky and cobbled on the surface, but the soils run deep and very well draining.

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Livermore Frozen Grape Must

$165.00

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Livermore Valley, California

Brix 25.7, pH 3.7, TA .59

Harvested October 11th, 2019

This vineyard site in the historic Southwestern corner of the Livermore Valley was part of the original Ruby Hill Winery planted in 1885 by John Crellin. The vineyard and winery remained operational through a series of owners and even through Prohibition. More recently the vineyard was leased and managed by Wente who replanted it to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese in 2000. The Ruby Hill District of Livermore sits at 800 feet elevation and consists mainly of fine, gravelly sand loam, and sedimentary silt loam soils. These soils are very well-draining and average over 50 inches deep. The area is slightly cooler than the rest of the valley and experiences later harvest and longer hang time.The climate of the Livermore Valley is almost exactly the same as that of the St. Helena and Calistoga in the Northern Napa Valley. Morning fog, cold nights, and winds coming off the Bay temper the hot days and allow the grapes to preserve acidity while still achieving ripeness. The Livermore Valley is California's only wine growing region with an East-West orientation.

2019 Merlot Livermore Frozen Grape Must

$165.00

Only 19 available

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Livermore Valley, California

Brix 25.4, pH 3.78, TA .55

Harvested October 11th, 2019

This vineyard site in the historic Southwestern corner of the Livermore Valley was part of the original Ruby Hill Winery planted in 1885 by John Crellin. The vineyard and winery remained operational through a series of owners and even through Prohibition. More recently the vineyard was leased and managed by Wente who replanted it to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese in 2000. The Ruby Hill District of Livermore sits at 800 feet elevation and consists mainly of fine, gravelly sand loam, and sedimentary silt loam soils. These soils are very well-draining and average over 50 inches deep. The area is slightly cooler than the rest of the valley and experiences later harvest and longer hang time.The climate of the Livermore Valley is almost exactly the same as that of the St. Helena and Calistoga in the Northern Napa Valley. Morning fog, cold nights, and winds coming off the Bay temper the hot days and allow the grapes to preserve acidity while still achieving ripeness. The Livermore Valley is California's only wine growing region with an East-West orientation.

2020 Merlot Walla Walla Valley Frozen Grape Must

$175.00

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Walla Walla Valley, Washington

Brix: 25.5, pH:3.86, TA: 3.4

YAN: 57 mg/L (as N), Malic Acid: .35 g/L,

Tartaric Acid: 4.8 g/L, Glucose + Fructose: 260 g/L,

Harvested October 4th, 2020

The Walla Walla Valley straddles southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. Walla Walla translates to “many waters” in reference to the land’s proximity to the Columbia, Snake, and Walla Walla Rivers. Rain is a seldom occurrence here and the area only receives about 15 inches of annual rainfall. Like the rest of the Columbia Valley, the landscapes and soils of Walla Walla were largely shaped by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods which swept through at the end of the last Ice Age. The Walla Walla Silt Soil left behind is a well-drained, sandy loess over Missoula Flood slackwater deposits and fractured basalt.

These grapes have never been available to the home winemaking community before, and were previously used in the Columbia Crest Reserve wine program for $40 per bottle.

The grapes come from the small lot Pheasant Run Vineyard located in the southern region of the Walla Walla AVA adjacent to the Pepper Bridge Winery. Pheasant Run is known to produce big fruit forward wines with earthy components. The Spofford silt loam soil at this vineyard site is excellent for growing grapes because it allows for superior drainage.

2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Frozen Grape Must

$175.00

*Grapes had exposure to smoke. No smoke flavor issues reported with hundreds sold.

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California

Brix: 27.9, pH: 3.64, TA: 6.11

Harvested September 29th, 2020

The Knights Valley separates the northern tip of the Napa Valley from the Southern end of Sonoma’s Alexander Valley. It is the warmest and most rural AVA in Sonoma County. Beringer Vineyards established the region in the late 1960’s and remains the most prominent name in the area alongside the Peter Michael Winery.

The Knights Valley sits at the foot of Mount St. Helena and lays in the original path of the Russian River. The soils here are a unique combination of being both volcanic from the lava flows off St Helena and granitic alluvial from the old river bed. The land appears rocky and cobbled on the surface, but the soils run deep and very well draining.

2021 Merlot Sonoma Mountain Organic Frozen Grape Must

from $155.00

Each pail includes 5 gallons or 4.25 gallons of grape must (selection further below).

Notice: For the lowest shipping rates available, we recommend purchasing 4.25 gallon pails separately from 5 gallon pails.

Product will arrive partially frozen.

Sonoma Mountain, California

Brix 23.7: , pH: 3.61, TA: 5.76 g/L

Harvested September 29th, 2021

Farmed Organically but not certified.

2022 Red Mountain Cabernet Franc Frozen Grape Must

$205.00

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Red Mountain, Washington

Brix: 24.3, pH: 3.72, TA: 3.8 g/L

Full ETS Juice Panel in pictures

Harvested October 22nd, 2022

“The Red Mountain AVA is located on a southwest-facing slope in south central Washington, a three and one-half hour drive from Seattle or Portland. At 4040 acres (1,635 hectares), this is the smallest, warmest wine-grape growing region in Washington. It has a unique combination of diverse geology, gentle south slope, consistent winds and notable heat profile. A complex mixture of the most rare and highly valued soil types in Washington was created by wind-blown silt and sand over glacial outflow. ” – Red Mountain Alliance

Red Mountain is famed for its powerful, tannic red wines of immense concentration. The grapes are the most sought after (expensive) fruit in the entire state and have produced three of the only wines to ever receive a perfect 100–point score from Robert Parker’s Wine advocate.

sold out

2022 Red Mountain Syrah Frozen Grape Must

$200.00

Each pail includes five gallons of grape must. Product will arrive partially frozen.

Red Mountain, Washington

Brix: 25.9, pH: 3.79, TA: 4.0 g/L

Harvested October 22nd, 2022

“The Red Mountain AVA is located on a southwest-facing slope in south central Washington, a three and one-half hour drive from Seattle or Portland. At 4040 acres (1,635 hectares), this is the smallest, warmest wine-grape growing region in Washington. It has a unique combination of diverse geology, gentle south slope, consistent winds and notable heat profile. A complex mixture of the most rare and highly valued soil types in Washington was created by wind-blown silt and sand over glacial outflow. ” – Red Mountain Alliance

The Syrah is clone 877 (the more tannic of the Syrah clones) planted in 2016 on the ideal southwest-facing slope of a canyon in the middle of Red Mountain.

Red Mountain is famed for its powerful, tannic red wines of immense concentration. The grapes are the most sought after (expensive) fruit in the entire state and have produced three of the only wines to ever receive a perfect 100–point score from Robert Parker’s Wine advocate.

For your next wine blend, go for Bordeaux

In the notes below, we overview Left Bank vs Right Bank red Bordeaux blends; also white Bordeaux blends. Use these notes as a guide to making your own blends in the style of Bordeaux.

The Left Bank

Grapes of the Left Bank

The Right Bank

Grapes of the Right Bank

The White Bordeaux

Grapes of the Bordeaux Blanc

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE BORDEAUX VARIETALS:

Gift Cards Now Available!

Enhance your Chromatography Paper for Easy to Read Results!