Exploring Bordeaux Wine Classifications: A Guide for Enthusiasts

Bordeaux, one of the world’s most renowned wine regions, is home to a diverse array of wines that are celebrated globally for their quality and heritage. The wines from Bordeaux are categorized into various classifications that highlight the unique characteristics and prestige of each appellation and estate. As a travel and wine enthusiast, understanding these classifications will enrich your appreciation for Bordeaux wines. Here’s an in-depth guide to the different wine classifications in Bordeaux.

1855 Classification of Médoc and Sauternes

The 1855 Classification is perhaps the most famous and historically significant wine classification in Bordeaux. Commissioned by Napoleon III for the Exposition Universelle de Paris, this classification ranks the top wines from the Médoc region and sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac.

  • Médoc: The classification includes 61 red wine châteaux, divided into five tiers called Crus (Growths):
  • First-Growths / Premières Crus
    • Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac
    • Château Latour Pauillac
    • Château Margaux Margaux
    • Château Haut-Brion Pessac, Graves (since 1986, Pessac-Léognan)
    • Château Mouton Rothschild (added in 1973)

Château Mouton Rothschild is the only estate to have been promoted to first-growth status since the creation of the classification, due the persistent efforts of the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild. (Courtesy of Courtesy of Baron Philippe de Rothschild)

  • Second-Growths / Deuxièmes Crus
    • Château Mouton-Rothschild (elevated to first-growth in 1973) Pauillac
    • Château Rausan-Ségla (Rauzan-Ségla) Margaux
    • Château Rauzan-Gassies Margaux
    • Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien
    • Château Léoville Poyferré St.-Julien
    • Château Léoville Barton St.-Julien
    • Château Durfort-Vivens Margaux
    • Château Gruaud-Larose St.-Julien
    • Château Lascombes Margaux
    • Château Brane-Cantenac Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac
    • Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pichon Longueville Lalande) Pauillac
    • Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St.-Julien
    • Château Cos-d’Estournel St.-Estèphe
    • Château Montrose St.-Estèphe
  • Third-Growths / Troisièmes Crus
    • Château Kirwan Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château d’Issan Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château Lagrange St.-Julien
    • Château Langoa Barton St.-Julien
    • Château Giscours Labarde-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château Malescot-St.-Exupéry Margaux
    • Château Cantenac-Brown Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château Boyd-Cantenac Margaux
    • Château Palmer Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château La Lagune Ludon (Haut-Médoc)
    • Château Desmirail Margaux
    • Château Calon-Ségur St.-Estèphe
    • Château Ferrière Margaux
    • Château Marquis-d’Alesme-Becker Margaux

The classification tiers do not correspond exactly to current quality; for example, fifth-growth Château Pontet-Canet has routinely earned outstanding to classic scores over the past two decades. (Deepix Studio)

  • Fourth-Growths / Quatrièmes Crus
    • Château St.-Pierre St.-Julien
    • Château Talbot St.-Julien
    • Château Branaire-Ducru St.-Julien
    • Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild Pauillac
    • Château Pouget Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château La Tour Carnet St.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
    • Château Lafon-Rochet St.-Estèphe
    • Château Beychevelle St.-Julien
    • Château Prieuré-Lichine Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
    • Château Marquis de Terme Margaux
  • Fifth-Growths / Cinquièmes Crus
    • Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac
    • Château Batailley Pauillac
    • Château Haut-Batailley Pauillac
    • Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac
    • Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse Pauillac
    • Château Lynch Bages Pauillac
    • Château Lynch-Moussas Pauillac
    • Château Dauzac Labarde (Margaux)
    • Château Mouton-Baronne-Philippe (Château d’Armailhac after 1989) Pauillac
    • Château du Tertre Arsac (Margaux)
    • Château Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac
    • Château Pédesclaux Pauillac
    • Château Belgrave St.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
    • Château Camensac (Château de Camensac) St.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
    • Château Cos Labory St.-Estèphe
    • Château Clerc Milon Pauillac
    • Château Croizet-Bages Pauillac
    • Château Cantemerle Macau (Haut-Médoc)
  • Sauternes and Barsac: The classification includes 27 estates producing sweet wines:
Great First-Growth / Grand Premier Cru
  • Château d’Yquem Sauternes
First-Growths / Premières Crus
  • Château La Tour Blanche Bommes (Sauternes)
  • Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Bommes (Sauternes)
  • Clos Haut-Peyraguey (Clos Haut-Peyraguey) Bommes (Sauternes)
  • Château de Rayne Vigneau Bommes (Sauternes)
  • Château Suduiraut Preignac (Sauternes)
  • Château Coutet BarsacChâteau Climens Barsac
  • Château Guiraud Sauternes
  • Château Rieussec Fargues (Sauternes)
  • Château Rabaud-Promis Bommes (Sauternes)
  • Château Sigalas Rabaud Bommes (Sauternes)
Second-Growths / Deuxièmes Crus
  • Château Myrat (Château de Myrat) Barsac
  • Château Doisy Daëne Barsac
  • Château Doisy-Dubroca Barsac
  • Château Doisy-Védrines Barsac
  • Château d’Arche Sauternes
  • Château Filhot Sauternes
  • Château Broustet BarsacChâteau Nairac Barsac
  • Château Caillou Barsac
  • Château Suau Barsac
  • Château de Malle Preignac (Sauternes)
  • Château Romer (Château Romer du Hayot) Fargues (Sauternes)
  • Château Lamothe Sauternes
The 1953 and 1959 Graves Classification

The Graves classification, established in 1953 and revised in 1959, is unique because it includes both red and white wines. This classification lists 16 estates all located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation.

  • Notable estates include:
    • Château Haut-Brion
    • Château La Mission Haut-Brion
    • Château Pape Clément
    • Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Saint-Émilion Classification

The Saint-Émilion classification is updated every ten years to reflect the changing quality and reputation of the wines. Established in 1955, it includes three main categories:

  • Premier Grand Cru Classé A: The highest ranking, featuring estates like:
    • Château Ausone
    • Château Cheval Blanc
    • Château Angélus
    • Château Pavie
  • Premier Grand Cru Classé B: Includes estates such as:
    • Château Figeac
    • Château Troplong Mondot
  • Grand Cru Classé: A larger category with many esteemed châteaux producing high-quality wines.
  • Château Balestard-La-Tonnelle
  • Château Barde-Haut
  • Château Bellefont-Belcier
  • Château Bellevue
  • Château Berliquet
  • Château Cadet-Bon
  • Château Cap de Mourlin
  • Château le Châtelet
  • Château Chauvin
  • Château Clos de Sarpe
  • Château la Clotte
  • Château la Commanderie
  • Château Corbin
  • Château Côte de Baleau
  • Château la Couspaude
  • Château Dassault
  • Château Destieux
  • Château la Dominique
  • Château Faugères
  • Château Faurie de Souchard
  • Château de Ferrand
  • Château Fleur-Cardinale
  • Château la Fleur Morange
  • Château Fombrauge
  • Château Fonplégade
  • Château Fonroque
  • Château Franc Mayne
  • Château Grand Corbin
  • Château Grand Corbin-Despagne
  • Château Grand-Mayne
  • Château les Grandes Murailles
  • Château Grand-Pontet
  • Château Guadet
  • Château Haut Sarpe
  • Château Jean Faure
  • Château Laniote
  • Château Larmande
  • Château Laroque
  • Château Laroze
  • Château la Marzelle
  • Château Monbousquet
  • Château Moulin du Cadet
  • Château Pavie-Decesse
  • Château Peby Faugères
  • Château Petit Faurie de Soutard
  • Château de Pressac
  • Château le Prieuré
  • Château Quinault l’Enclos
  • Château Ripeau
  • Château Rochebelle
  • Château Saint-Georges (Côte Pavie)
  • Château Sansonnet
  • Château La Serre
  • Château Soutard
  • Château Tertre Daugay, renommé en 2011 en château Quintus
  • Château la Tour Figeac
  • Château Villemaurine
  • Château Yon Figeac
  • Clos des Jacobins
  • Clos la Madeleine
  • Clos de l’Oratoire
  • Clos Saint-Martin
  • Couvent des Jacobins
Cru Bourgeois of Médoc

The Cru Bourgeois classification, established in 1932 and restructured in 2003, 2010, and 2020, highlights excellent Médoc wines not included in the 1855 classification. It has three tiers:

  • Cru Bourgeois
  • Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
  • Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

This classification is unique because it is revisited annually, ensuring that the listed wines maintain high standards of quality.

Crus Artisans of Médoc

The Crus Artisans classification, recognized in 2006, celebrates small, family-owned estates in the Médoc. These producers typically focus on traditional methods and offer unique, high-quality wines.

The Côtes de Bordeaux Classification

The Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, established in 2009, unifies several smaller regions to simplify and elevate their market presence. It includes:

  • Blaye
  • Cadillac
  • Castillon
  • Francs

This classification emphasizes the rich diversity and high quality of wines from these lesser-known areas.

Bordeaux Supérieur and Bordeaux AOC

At the entry level, Bordeaux wines are classified as Bordeaux AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) and Bordeaux Supérieur. These classifications encompass a wide range of wines produced across the Bordeaux region, offering accessible and versatile options for everyday enjoyment.

  • Bordeaux AOC: Includes red, white, and rosé wines that meet the region’s basic standards.
  • Bordeaux Supérieur: Generally denotes red wines with stricter production regulations, often resulting in higher quality.

Conclusion

Bordeaux’s intricate classification system reflects the region’s commitment to excellence and its rich winemaking heritage. Each classification offers a different perspective on the terroir, history, and craftsmanship of Bordeaux wines. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious traveler, exploring these classifications will enhance your understanding and appreciation of Bordeaux’s exceptional wines. Plan your visit to Bordeaux with Wikitour to experience these remarkable wines firsthand and discover the stories behind each prestigious estate.