A Bordeaux varietal red is made from as many as six approved grapes in the region: primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc with lesser amounts of Petit Verdot, Carmenere and Malbec. These wines can have one, two or even all five in the blend; this assembly of varietal produced wines of greater complexity with various fruit flavors, tannin levels, color and spice.

These Bordeaux varietal reds range from lighter-bodied examples simply designated as Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superieur, which are meant for consumption within their first three to five years to the classified growths, owned by wealthy Bordelaise, who craft very expensive wines that can age for several decades.