Grand Cru Bordeaux — Classified Growths, Perfect Provenance

The 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, established for the Paris Universal Exhibition on Napoleon III's orders, ranks 61 Médoc châteaux (plus Château Haut-Brion from Graves) in five tiers from Premier Cru to Cinquième Cru. Though it has been modified only once in its history (the addition of Mouton Rothschild to the First Growths in 1973), it remains the most authoritative and recognisable wine quality hierarchy in the world.

The Five Premiers Crus

Château Margaux (Margaux): The most elegant and perfumed of the First Growths. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, with a distinctive floral character and silky texture that justifies its legendary reputation.

Château Latour (Pauillac): The most powerful and long-lived First Growth. Latour in great vintages is formidably tannic in youth but develops extraordinary complexity over 20-30 years.

Château Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac): Perhaps the most refined First Growth — aromatic, complex, and elegant rather than powerful. Among the most consistently brilliant wines in Bordeaux over multiple decades.

Château Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac): The most theatrical and sometimes most inspired First Growth — famous for its artist label series and wines of extraordinary individuality.

Château Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan): The only non-Médoc First Growth, producing wines of distinctive earthy, tobacco, and graphite character — different from the others and extraordinary.

Deuxièmes and Other Crus

Beyond the First Growths, the remaining 56 classified châteaux include many of Bordeaux's greatest wines — and often much better value given their lower profiles. Our team recommends:

→    Léoville Las Cases (Deuxième Cru, Saint-Julien): Often considered "First Growth quality" — a serious, long-lived wine

→    Pichon Lalande (Deuxième Cru, Pauillac): Feminine elegance, outstanding consistency

→    Ducru-Beaucaillou (Deuxième Cru, Saint-Julien): Refined, classic, age-worthy

→    Cos d'Estournel (Deuxième Cru, Saint-Estèphe): The most exotic and individually styled of the major classified châteaux

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

The Saint-Émilion classification covers more than 80 properties in its current form (revised 2022), with Special A, A, and B tiers below the Premiers Grands Crus Classés. Châteaux Cheval Blanc and Ausone sit at the apex (Premier Grand Cru Classé A), with Angélus and Pavie joining them in 2012.

Investment and Cellaring

Fine Bordeaux requires patience. We recommend:

→    Drinking window guidance from our team for every wine we sell

→    Cellaring conditions: 12-14°C, 70-75% humidity, dark

→    En primeur purchases for the longest-term investments

→    Drinking great Bordeaux in magnum when possible — it ages better