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When you think of budget wines, Bordeaux likely doesn’t come to mind. But there’s so much more to the region than expensive bottles made by high-end producers. In fact, one can snag a very good bottle of Bordeaux for a fraction of the cost.
Don’t believe us? Our tasting department at Wine Enthusiast pulled together their favorite budget Bordeaux picks for $25 or less.
What Is Bordeaux Wine?
Bordeaux is often used as a catch-all name for wines produced in the French appellation of Bordeaux. They include some of the best wines in the world, but also mass-produced, blended wines of little note.
Wines produced in specific areas within Bordeaux that follow precise French winemaking practices or have highly-valued reputations are more likely to be labeled as such. Common districts include Médoc, Graves, Sauternes and St-Émilion, but more specific villages, vineyards or chateaus may be on the label.
The style of Bordeaux is largely dependent on where the wine was produced, the variety of grapes used and the winemaking methods. A Bordeaux can be red or white and dry, semi-sweet or sweet.
Red Bordeaux wines are mostly made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and sometimes Cabernet Franc. They may also include Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenère.
White Bordeaux wines tend to include Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and depending on the exact blend, have medium body and acidity with herbal notes. They can also include Muscadelle. Ready to pop open a wow-worthy bottle? We have 10 under $25 perfect for enjoying tonight.
The Best Bordeaux Bottles Under $25
Château Haut-Bergey 2019 Pessac-Léognan
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
Structured, full of promise and with layers of black fruits and tannins, this ripe wine is set for aging. The texture, with its dry core, is dense and powerful. Drink this wine from 2026. Organic. Editor’s Choice —Roger Voss
$24.99 Wine.comChâteau la Roque de By 2019 Cru Bourgeois (Médoc)
93 Points Wine Enthusiast
Situated close to the Gironde estuary, this 24-acre vineyard has produced a ripe, impressively structured wine. With dark tannins and juicy blackberry flavors, the wine is generous and has potential. Drink from 2025. Best Buy —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherChâteau Haut la Grenière 2019 Lussac Saint-Émilion
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
A delicious and juicy wine, this balances between rich black fruits and acidity, with a core of firm tannins. The wine is ripe, still young. Drink from 2024. Editor’s Choice —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherChâteau Laulan 2020 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
A dense wine, this has fine, firm tannins. Its acidity balances the dark-berry fruits in a harmonious mix of fruit and structure. Drink from 2025. —R.V.
$19.99 Total Wine & MoreChâteau Rocher de Joanin 2019 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
Under the same ownership as classed growth Château Corbin Despagne in Saint-Emilion, this estate has produced a richly textured wine, packed with juicy Merlot and that is vibrant and already delicious. Drink from 2024. Editor’s Choice —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherChâteau Clément-Pichon 2019 Cru Bourgeois (Haut-Médoc)
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
Owned by the Fayat construction company, this estate, with a fantastical 19th-century chateau, offers a richly textured wine, ripe tannins and plenty of potential. This black-fruited wine will be ready from 2026. Editor’s Choice —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherChâteau Larose-Trintaudon 2019 Cru Bourgeois (Haut-Médoc)
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
This 430-acre estate has produced an elegant, fruity wine. The wine comes from vines on the edge of the Pauillac appellation, with deep gravel soil that gives structure to the approachable black fruits. Drink from 2025. Editor’s Choice —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherChâteau Fourcas Dupré 2018 Les Jardins de Fourcas-Dupré (Listrac-Médoc)
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
This second wine from Château Fourcas-Dupré is already an attractive and is ready to drink. Juicy black currants, fine tannins that have softened and plenty of acidity, give a wine that is open and very drinkable now. Editor’s Choice —R.V.
$ Varies Wine SearcherChâteau Bellevue 2019 Bordeaux Supérieur
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
The ornate, fairytale label of this bottle is a good precursor to this wine itself. It brings rich black fruits, dense tannins, spice and bright acidity. A blend of five grapes, the wine is full, generous and ready to drink from 2023. Best Buy —R.V.
$21.99 Wine.comChâteau La Maroutine 2019 Bordeaux
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
This château in Cadillac has produced a rich, dense wine that is full of juicy acidity and black fruits. It is fine and ripe, full and concentrated. Drink from 2025. Editor’s Choice —R.V.
$ Varies Wine-SearcherFAQ
How Much Does Good Bordeaux Cost?
Bordeaux prices vary based on its quality, where the wine was produced and the specific vintage. But there are Bordeaux bottles for every budget. Even though some elite bottles can run thousands of dollars, there are some great bargain Bordeaux bottles out there, too. Try one of our new favorites from this list, or head to the archives to check out more Bordeaux bottles under $30.
What Color Is Bordeaux?
Bordeaux is arguably most famous for its dry red wines and sweet whites, but quality dry white wines, called Bordeaux blanc, are available as well.
Where Is Bordeaux?
About three hours south of Paris in the Southwest of France, this region lies along the Garonne River, which meets the Dordogne just north of the city. West of the Garonne are the districts of Médoc, Graves and Sauternes (referred to as the Left Bank) and to the northeast are Saint-Émilion and Pomerol (known as the Right Bank).
Is Bordeaux Wine Sweet?
Some Bordeaux wines may be sweet. The most popular sweet Bordeaux wine is Sauternes, made from mostly Sémillon grapes. This sweet white wine is made from grapes that have been impacted by botrytis, which shrivels the grapes and intensifies their flavors. Sauternes is high in sugar and acidity and known for its honeyed expression.
What Is a Bordeaux Blend?
The term “Bordeaux blend” is used to identify a wine produced in Bordeaux that uses a blend of multiple grape varieties.
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All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
Last Updated: June 6, 2023
