The Médoc Classification of 1855
The 1855 Bordeaux classification is one of the most famous and influential wine rankings in the world. It was created by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce for the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1855, which was an international exhibition that aimed to showcase the best products from around the world. The classification was intended to be a way of showcasing the finest wines of the Bordeaux region, which is known for producing some of the most highly sought-after and expensive wines in the world.
The classification ranks the wines into five different tiers, or "growths", based on their reputation and price at the time. The first growths are considered the most prestigious, while the fifth growths are considered less highly esteemed. The original classification included 61 wines, with 58 from the Medoc region and three from the Graves region.
The first growths are Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Mouton-Rothschild. These wines are still among the most highly sought after and expensive in the world, and they are considered the benchmark for the entire region.
The classification was based on a number of factors, including the quality of the soil and vineyards, the reputation of the winery, and the price of the wine. The rankings were determined by a panel of judges who were appointed by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce, and the criteria used to evaluate the wines was not made public.
The 1855 Bordeaux classification is still in use today, and the wines that were included in the original classification are still highly sought after by collectors and wine lovers. The classification has been revised only once, in 1973, when Château Mouton-Rothschild was elevated from second growth to first growth.
While the 1855 Bordeaux classification is widely regarded as a benchmark for the region, it has also been criticised for its rigidity and lack of flexibility. Some critics argue that the classification is based on historical reputation rather than current quality, and that the rankings are too rigid to allow for changes in the quality of the wine over time. In addition, the classification only includes wines from the left bank of the Gironde estuary, which means that many high-quality wines from other parts of the region are not represented in the classification. Finally, the original classification was based on the opinions of a small group of experts, and some critics argue that it is not a fair representation of the entire region.
Despite these criticisms, the 1855 Bordeaux classification remains a prestigious ranking that is highly regarded by wine lovers and collectors around the world. Today, it remains an important benchmark for the Bordeaux region, and it is a testament to the enduring quality of the wines that were produced in the mid-19th century.
First Growths / Premiers Crus
Château Lafite Rothschild | Pauillac
Château Latour | Pauillac
Château Margaux | Margaux
Château Haut-Brion | Pessac, Graves
Château Mouton Rothschild | Pauillac
Second Growths / Deuxièmes Crus
Château 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 | Margaux
Château Pichon Longueville Baron | Pauillac
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande | Pauillac
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou | St.-Julien
Château Cos d'Estournel | St.-Estèphe
Château Montrose | St.-Estèphe
Third Growths / Troisièmes Crus
Château Kirwan | Margaux
Château d'Issan | Margaux
Château Lagrange | St.-Julien
Château Langoa-Barton | St.-Julien
Château Giscours | Margaux
Château Malescot St. Exupéry | Margaux
Château Cantenac-Brown | Margaux
Château Boyd-Cantenac | Margaux
Château Palmer | Margaux
Château La Lagune |Haut-Medoc
Château Desmirail | Margaux
Château Dubignon | Margaux
Château Calon-Ségur | St.-Estèphe
Château Ferrière | Margaux
Château Marquis d'Alesme Becker | Margaux
Fourth Growths / Quatrièmes Crus
Château Saint-Pierre | St.-Julien
Château Talbot | St.-Julien
Château Branaire-Ducru| St.-Julien
Château Duhart-Milon | Pauillac
Château Pouget | Margaux
Château La Tour Carnet | Haut-Médoc
Château Lafon-Rochet | St.-Estèphe
Château Beychevelle | St.-Julien
Château Prieuré-Lichine | 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 d'Armailhac | Pauillac
Château du Tertre | Margaux
Château Haut-Bages-Libéral | Pauillac
Château Pédesclaux | Pauillac
Château Belgrave | Haut-Médoc
Château de Camensac | Haut-Médoc
Château Cos Labory | St.-Estèphe
Château Clerc-Milon | Pauillac
Château Croizet Bages | Pauillac
Château Cantemerle | Macau Haut-Médoc
