The five-wine Légende Bordeaux Collection is part of the Domaines Barons de Rothschild portfolio, which also includes Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Duhart-Milon, and Chateau Rieussec (Sauternes), among other properties. In addition to the Légende Bordeaux, St. Emilion, and Pauillac reviewed below (based on provided samples), that collection includes a Medoc red and a Bordeaux Blanc. Some, but not all, of the fruit for the Légende wines come from vineyards owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild. A stated goal for the program is creating wines which are enjoyable upon release. The wines below definitely achieve that.

Légende Bordeaux reviews

2016 Domaines Barons de Rothschild Légende Bordeaux AOC 87 750ml 12.5% $20

Medium-bodied with gentle acidity and fine, structural tannins. Aromas and flavors include tart berries, plum, savory dry herb, and gravelly mineral. 30 minutes of air softens the tannins and brings forward more fruit. This well-made, dinner wine from Entre-Deux-Mers will work well with braised lamb or just a nice, juicy burger.

Enjoy now through 2023. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. 100,000 cases produced.

2014 Domaines Barons de Rothschild Légende St. Emilion AOC 90 750ml 12.5% $35

This blend of 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc from the Right Bank boasts a very attractive nose of red cherry, red currant, dried beef, deli spice, sage, and dried flowers. In the mouth, there’s medium-plus body and a savory profile. Flavors begin with ferrous earth, dusty gravel, and dark roast coffee, then reveal leathery black cherry and more dried flowers. The medium-plus tannins are fine-grained, chalky, and persistent, but are easily resolved 30 minutes in the glass or decanter.  That opens up the palate too, amping up the fruit and echoing the aromatics. Very nice.

Try it with seared duck breast dusted with five-spice powder. Enjoy now through 2028. 6,000 cases produced.

2014 Domaines Barons de Rothschild Légende Pauillac AOC 90 750ml 12.5% $50

Deep purple in the glass, this dark-fruited wine from gravelly Pauillac is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. The nose offers aromas of violets, oak and just-ripe, black currants dusted with a melange of brown spices. The palate has medium-plus body and plenty of tannins that are fine-grained and structural, but already fairly well integrated. Juicy black currant flavor peeks through dry earth, aged wood, and dried violets.

Now-2028, decant 30 minutes if drinking before 2021. 5,000 cases produced.

Copyright Fred Swan 2019. Bottle shot courtesy of Domaines Barons de Rothschild. Map courtesy of Vins de Bordeaux. All rights reserved.