All the medallists from the Bordeaux Masters 2026

Bordeaux may have its critics, but the carping can disguise this classic region’s many unique qualities – among both red and white wines, says Patrick Schmitt MW.

IT’S BECOME known as “Bordeaux bashing”. I’m referring to the regular, and at times brutal, criticism of the world’s best-known wine region.

Why does Bordeaux attract such vitriol? In fine wine circles, much of the criticism stems from a marked rise in release prices among some high-profile properties, particularly following the outstanding 2009 and 2010 vintages – a result of both exceptional harvest quality and strong demand, especially from Asia.

At the other end of the spectrum, negativity can be linked to Bordeaux’s perceived staid image, or to a style that can seem tart and tannic, especially when compared with more immediately approachable, inexpensive Cabernets and Merlots from regions such as Australia, California or Chile.

But is this criticism justified? Certainly, there are châteaux guilty of overpricing, and producers making wines that are less than appealing. However, it doesn’t take much effort to find Bordeaux that offers both good value and genuine drinking pleasure.

Indeed, some of the harsher commentary may stem from the region’s former dominance – after all, the higher you climb, the further you can fall. There is also the simple fact that the most famous names attract the greatest scrutiny; public figures are often the easiest targets.

So what made Bordeaux successful in the first place? For reds, it’s the combination of age-worthiness, freshness, colour, black fruit character and structure. For whites, it’s the balance of creamy texture and citrus brightness – particularly in the great wines of Graves – while its sweet wines remain unrivalled for their harmony and complexity.

Was this borne out in our tasting? While we did not assess Sauternes or Barsac in 2026, we encountered plenty of pleasing dry reds and whites, along with some clear standouts, detailed in the following pages.

Among the top-performing reds was a superb pan-Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon called Héritage, from the Mouton Cadet brand, alongside a fine entry-level expression from second growth Margaux château Rauzan-Gassies – L’Orme. Like Héritage, this was a Merlot-dominant blend from the 2023 vintage.

Among the whites, we were particularly impressed by a dry wine from leading Sauternes property Château Suduiraut. Lions de Suduiraut Blanc Sec, the estate’s entry-level dry white, proved a delicious and crisp example, combining mouthwatering lemon fruit with a subtle note of vanilla pod from a touch of French oak ageing.

BEYOND BORDEAUX

But these were not the only wines to impress. As is customary in our Bordeaux Masters, we also assessed wines sold through La Place de Bordeaux – the distribution system run by the region’s négociants. With an increasing number of international fine wines now marketed alongside those of Bordeaux, it is fascinating to compare offerings from beyond the region’s traditional boundaries. This year, the standout came from Chile. Produced by Viña Vik, this 2022 Bordeaux-style blend is made from estate-grown grapes in Millahue, in the

Cachapoal Valley. While it displayed a riper, sweeter fruit profile than a typical cru classé claret, it retained admirable poise, combining notes of blackberry and chocolate with firm tannins, cedar and hints of dried mint and sour cherry.

It is a wine that can be enjoyed now, yet also promises to reward cellaring for a decade or more – much like fine Bordeaux itself.

White Bordeaux

Rosé Bordeaux

Red Bordeaux

La Place de Bordeaux

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Bordeaux Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2026 competition was judged on 8 April at COMO Halkin in London, employing experienced judges. The top entries were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolades – the titles of Bordeaux Master or Grand Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Aston at: [email protected]