K&L Discovery Series: Barbera d'Alba Superiore

Bordeaux is the world's most famous wine region, a benchmark for quality, and the historic home of the art of blending. Its personality is split in two by the Gironde estuary, creating the distinct "Left Bank" and "Right Bank." This page explores the key appellations of our Discovery Series and the fundamental differences that define their iconic styles.

Our Discovery Series Barolos

2019 Pauillac

Bordeaux

A regal and classically structured Pauillac from a celebrated vintage, showing immense power and aromatic complexity.

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2019 Pomerol

Bordeaux

A beautifully lifted and aromatic expression of Merlot, balancing youthful energy with timeless elegance.

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2005 St.Emilion

Bordeaux

A classic St-Emilion from a legendary vintage, showing lush Merlot fruit, velvety tannins, and layers of plum, spice, and truffle. Elegant, complex, and beautifully mature.

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2009 St.Emilion

Bordeaux

A beautifully ripe and expressive St-Emilion from a warm vintage, offering plush Merlot fruit, silky tannins, and notes of black cherry, cocoa, and spice. Rich, approachable, and full of charm.

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2016 St. Estèphe

Bordeaux

A beautifully ripe and expressive St-Estèphe from a warm vintage, offering plush Merlot fruit, silky tannins, and notes of black cherry, cocoa, and spice. Rich, approachable, and full of charm.

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The Great Appellations of Bordeaux

Each Bordeaux appellation has a unique terroir that shapes the final wine, from the gravelly soils of the Left Bank that are perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon to the clay-limestone of the Right Bank where Merlot thrives.

Pauillac (Left Bank)

Terroir: Deep gravel beds.

Produces powerful, structured, and tannic wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for notes of cassis, cedar, and graphite.

St-Estèphe (Left Bank)

Terroir: Clay over gravel.

Creates robust, earthy, and long-lived wines. The clay topsoil gives them a powerful structure and savory character.

St-Émilion (Right Bank)

Terroir: Clay and limestone plateau.

Home to Merlot-dominant wines that are opulent, rich, and complex, with notes of plum and truffle.

Pomerol (Right Bank)

Terroir: Iron-rich clay and gravel.

Produces the most velvety, plush, and luxurious Merlot-based wines in the world, known for their seamless texture.

Two Banks, Two Styles

The Gironde estuary divides Bordeaux into two distinct regions, each with its own unique terroir and winemaking philosophy that defines the style of its wines.

The Left Bank

Dominant Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon is king, prized for its structure, power, and aging potential.
Soil Type: Deep beds of gravel, which retain heat and provide excellent drainage, are perfect for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Resulting Wine: Powerful, full-bodied, and tannic. These wines are built for the long haul, with classic notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and graphite.

The Right Bank

Dominant Grape: Merlot is the star, celebrated for its plush texture, rich fruit, and approachability.
Soil Type: Clay and limestone soils, which stay cooler and retain more moisture, are ideal for Merlot.
The Resulting Wine: Softer, fruitier, and less tannic than their Left Bank counterparts. They are often described as opulent and velvety, with notes of plum, black cherry, and truffle.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape known for its deep color, full body, and high tannin content. It produces wines that are bold and complex, with flavors of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. Cabernet Sauvignon's structure and aging potential make it a favorite among collectors.

It thrives in the gravelly soils of the Left Bank, where the warm climate allows it to ripen fully, developing rich flavors while maintaining its characteristic acidity, making it one of the most sought-after grapes in the world.

Merlot

The magic of the Right Bank Bordeaux lies in the art of the blend. Each grape variety plays a crucial role. Merlot forms the backbone, providing structure, blackcurrant notes, and tannins for aging.

Merlot brings softness and fleshy plum flavors. Small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot can be added for aromatic complexity and spice, creating a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts.