The grapes behind Bordeaux red wine: what’s in your glass?

Bordeaux is a region built on the art of blending. Unlike varietal wines that highlight a single grape, Bordeaux red wines combine several – each bringing its own structure, aroma, and personality.

At Château Canon Chaigneau, we embrace this tradition while letting our terroir speak through a precise and slightly unusual selection of grapes.

The Big Three: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Most red Bordeaux wines are blends of:

• Merlot: Soft, round, early-ripening, with plum and chocolate notes.

• Cabernet Franc: Lighter in body but full of elegance, pepper, and floral lift.

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Later-ripening, more tannic, often used on the Left Bank for power and ageing.

But here’s where it gets interesting for us.

Our blend at Canon Chaigneau: Merlot, Cabernet Franc… and Pressac

Our vineyard, in Lalande-de-Pomerol, sits on clay-limestone soils that are particularly suited to Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

We no longer grow Cabernet Sauvignon: the Famille Marin, previous owners and now partners, chose to uproot it a few years ago, as it struggled to ripen consistently in our specific microclimate. Instead, they focused on what thrives here: Merlot and Cabernet Franc, complemented by a local gem, Pressac, also known as Malbec.

Why Pressac makes us different

Pressac (Malbec) is rarely seen in large proportions in Bordeaux blends today, yet it’s part of the region’s heritage.

At Canon Chaigneau, it adds:

• A touch of spice and dark fruit

• Extra complexity and vibrancy

• A link to history, when Malbec was more prominent in Bordeaux

In our wines, Pressac plays a small but meaningful role, lifting the blend and giving it a subtle signature.

Taste it for yourself

Our Grand Vin typically features ~95% Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Pressac.
The result?

• Merlot brings depth and flesh

• Cabernet Franc lifts and lengthens

• Pressac adds spice and personality

Experience the blend in our Discovery Case or enjoy the purity of expression in our Cuve 8a and Grand Vin magnums.

Once you taste it, you’ll understand why we love this balance.