Cabernet Sauvignon Château Pradeau Mazeau 2023

Bordeaux is the world's most famous fine-wine region, home to legendary châteaux, the 1855 Classification and elegant red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as great dry and sweet whites.

Geographic position: Southwestern France, in the Gironde department around the city of Bordeaux, along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde estuary, about 50 km from the Atlantic. Around 270,000 acres of vines make it France's largest fine-wine vineyard.

Origin & history: The Romans planted vines here in the 1st century. The marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet in 1152 placed Bordeaux under English rule for 300 years, and its "claret" became England's favourite wine. Merchants (négociants) and the 1855 Classification built its global prestige.

Main appellations & varieties: Left Bank (Médoc, Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Pessac-Léognan, Graves) led by Cabernet Sauvignon; Right Bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac) led by Merlot and Cabernet Franc; Entre-Deux-Mers and Sauternes for whites from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.

Food specialties: Entrecôte à la bordelaise, Pauillac lamb, Arcachon oysters with Sauvignon Blanc, cèpes mushrooms, lamprey stew and canelés, the little caramelised cakes of Bordeaux.