Bordeaux Jordans Stay True to the Famous and Exquisite Bordeaux French Wine

Although generally associated with the Air Jordan 7 line, the AJ Bordeaux is among Jordan brand's most sought sneakers, with numerous throwback releases over the years, earning an almost cult-like following.

Michael Jordan only donned the sneaker at the 1992 NBA All-Star Game and in Michael Jackson's "Jam" video clip, in which Jordan made a cameo appearance, yet it stood the test of time with diehards and sneakerheads. The exclusive colorway did not retro until 2011, nearly 20 years after its first debut.

So far, the Bordeaux has been released in the AJ1, AJ6, and AJ12 product lines, with their associated retros. It is worth noting that the term Bordeaux derives from the renowned French wine produced in Bordeaux, France. As a result, the sneakers get a splattering of burgundy color. Here's all you need to know about this footwear.

History of the Bordeaux

It is difficult to highlight the Bordeaux’s history without mentioning the Air Jordan 7 product line, where it was first released.

In essence, the Air Jordan 7 boasts the most diverse history of any sneaker in the classic Air Jordan product line, with each pair associated with significant moments or accomplishments. It is perhaps the only Jordan model to receive its Historic Moments Pack in 2009. The package contained a colorway inspired by the Orlando Magic and a variation on the Air Jordan 7. The Raptor colorway was paired with a black and Charcoal Grey upper reminiscent of a Bordeaux wine.

Although the AJ line has seen numerous colorways over the years, the Bordeaux Air Jordan 7 is among the most unique. Michael Jordan never wore the shoe in a crucial NBA game, but it paved the way for many of the trademark Air Jordan designs that became cult classics.

Until the release of the Air Jordan 7, Jordan always used the All-Star Game to introduce his new signature shoe line. This wasn’t the case with the Bordeaux; yet, with this sneaker, the practice of donning special colors to mark an event began. Once team jerseys became the norm, Jordan went back to releasing Playoffs footwear, but without the Bordeaux setting the tone, other trademark hues such as the Aqua AJ 8 and Columbia AJ11 might not have the same appeal that they do now.

One of the most culturally significant aspects of the Air Jordan Bordeaux was its association with Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. Jordan wore the Bordeaux Air Jordan 7 in the spring 1992 music video for "Jam" as he and Michael Jackson tutored each other on the basketball court and dance floor, respectively.

The sneaker also witnessed a 2011 re-release. Since 1992, Jordan fans have considered the Bordeaux Air Jordan 7 a cult classic. This is because it went 19 years without a retro release, which is longer than any other sneaker in the line.

Then came the final release. Complete with a higher tongue, remastered craftsmanship, and Nike Air branding, the 2015 release represents the cultural moment of "Jam" and the legacy of Michael Jordan's subsequent All-Star sneaker introductions.

Features of the OG Air Jordan Bordeaux

The Bordeaux 7 stands out among the Air Jordan 7s thanks to the strong tonal variation between the Dark Grey and black upper and the soft red tongue. The bright stripe in the middle and the more subdued stripes on the sides give it a sleek, balanced look. The zigzag of colors peeks out from the black lacing.

The smooth, flowing lines of the black upper frame, the Air Jordan logo on the side of the shoe, and the silver Air Jordan text on the tongue give it a stylized, punchy look. The back of the shoe has a V-shaped 23, and the sole takes the colors from the tongue and distributes them across the black rubber. The shoe's features include:

• Foam midsole with Air sole unit

• Neoprene sock liner and tongue

• Rubber outsole

Bordeaux Jordan Collection Featured on eBay

After the OG Bordeaux, this colorway has witnessed several releases in different Jordan’s product lines. Each release, true to the features of its product line, also highlights a touch of the French wine color, thus the name. Here are some of them as sold on eBay.

Air Jordan 7 Retro Bordeaux 2015

After its first release in 1992, the Air Jordan 7 Retro Bordeaux was rereleased in 2015 as part of the Restored collection, bringing back a favorite fan colorway. Staying authentic to the original design, the sneaker features a gray and black nubuck upper with a black outsole and midsole. The shoe's logo, tongue, and heel counter include hits of its eponymous hue.

Air Jordan 6 Retro Bordeaux

Released in 2021, the Air Jordan 6 Retro Bordeaux uppers are constructed mostly of nubuck and shift between subtle graphite underlays, solid black overlays, cut-out tongues, and Jumpman emblems on the footbridge. The reflective throat and heel counters are splattered with a Bordeaux-inspired tint, offset by an olive-green stripe. As a nod to its inspiration, bright diamond patterns are created along the inner surfaces of the tongues. In addition, a small amount of orange is visible on the lace toggles.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Bordeaux

The Air Jordan 12 Retro Bordeaux flaunts a wine-hued hue all over its premium suede upper, laces, and tongue. The mudguard, which has a simulated caviar leather look, is a similarly luscious shade of purple. A sail outsole and silver shoelace loops complete the high-end aesthetic of these sneakers.

Paris Saint-Germain x Air Jordan 4 Retro Bordeaux

Just as star Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar Jr. signed with PUMA, Jordan brand and PSG debuted a new Air Jordan 4 partnership. This new rendition of Michael Jordan's fourth iconic sneaker aimed to excite the Parisian club's ardent followers with a polished color scheme that appeared to merge basketball and football perfectly.

The shoe is elegant and sporty, thanks to the white leather upper and different black embellishments, such as the midsole, eyelets, heel tabs, and collar trim. On the back, a large circular PSG crest replaces the usual Jumpman logo, and the heel tab, which usually has squares with different textures, has been changed to a striped design. On the lateral forefoot, there is also a Paname hangtag. The AJ4's signature mesh netting, which is white, is on top of a black base, and the shoe's black wings add even more contrast. Large black flight tongue tags and Ici C'este Paris insole decorations finish off the look.

PSNY x Air Jordan 12 Retro Paris

Air Jordan's partnership with fashion house Public School New York showcases three fashion capitals with a trio of sneakers: New York, Milan, and Paris. The latter pays homage to the French capital with a monochrome rendition of the Jordan 12 covered entirely in Bordeaux, an appropriate color choice given the hue's origins. The burgundy hue permeates the sneaker, including the suede upper, laces, outsole, heel tab, and lining.

Air Jordan 3 Retro Bordeaux WMNS

The Air Jordan 3 Retro SE Women's Sneaker optimizes the game-changing AJ 3 design to create an ultralight, low-profile shoe with iconic Jordan styling. Instead of the usual elephant print, this 2018 women's-only Air Jordan 3 features a suede upper with smooth leather overlays. The collar has less cushioning than other models, and a visible Air unit is housed beneath a white sole.

Air Jordan 1 High Retro OG Bordeaux

The most recent addition to the Bordeaux family is a three-toned AJ1 model. The overlays, laces, inside lining, and ankle flap feature a red wine hue while the toebox, quarter panel, tongue, and collar feature white leather. Metallic silver is used prominently on the Swoosh, tongue, and branding to bring a modern edge to the traditional colorway.