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The Bordeaux classifications: 1855, Saint-Émilion, Graves, crus bourgeois
Four classifications, four logics: the 1855 one, frozen for more than a hundred and fifty years; Saint-Émilion's, revised every ten years; the Graves one; and the crus bourgeois, revised every five years. And Pomerol, which has none. Filter by classification, appellation and rank; the châteaux we offer link to their page.
Every classified château
Médoc and Sauternes 1855, Graves 1959, Saint-Émilion premiers grands crus classés 2022 and a few grands crus classés. The crus bourgeois, nearly 250 châteaux, are covered further down.
| Château | Rank | Appellation |
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Four classifications, four sets of rules
- Médoc and Sauternes, 1855
- Drawn up for the Paris Exposition Universelle on the basis of the wines' selling prices. Sixty-one reds in five growths, all from the Médoc except Haut-Brion, in the Graves, and twenty-seven sweet wines in three ranks. It has changed only twice: Cantemerle added in 1856, Mouton Rothschild promoted to first growth in 1973. It classifies brands: a château may have bought or sold vines since. See Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe and Sauternes.
- Saint-Émilion, 2022
- Revised roughly every ten years, on tasting and a written application: terroir, reputation, how the estate is run. The latest, in 2022, has 85 châteaux, including 14 premiers grands crus classés (2 in A, 12 in B) and 71 grands crus classés. Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Angélus withdrew before it was published. Not to be confused with the Saint-Émilion grand cru appellation, which is not a classification. See our Saint-Émilion wines.
- Graves, 1959
- Sixteen châteaux, all now in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, classified without order or rank, for their red, their white or both. See our Pessac-Léognan wines.
- Crus bourgeois of the Médoc
- Nearly 250 châteaux from the eight Médoc appellations, classified every five years at three levels: cru bourgeois, cru bourgeois supérieur, cru bourgeois exceptionnel. The 2020 classification had 249 châteaux, 14 of them exceptionnels. They are often the best value for money in the Médoc: see Haut-Médoc and Médoc and Moulis and Listrac.
- Pomerol: no classification
- Petrus, Lafleur, Le Pin and L'Évangile are not classified anywhere: Pomerol has never wanted a classification. Price and reputation take its place. See our Pomerol wines.
What a classification doesn't tell you
A rank is an indication of lineage, not a tasting score. Several Médoc fifth growths now sell for more than some second growths; some crus bourgeois are as good as classified growths. The vintage matters just as much: a classified growth from a small year can disappoint next to a cru bourgeois from a great one. The vintage chart and the when to open this bottle tool help you choose the right year. To see where the classification appears on a bottle, see reading a Bordeaux label.
Can the 1855 classification change?
In principle, no: it has only been changed twice, in 1856 and in 1973. It remains the reference for the Médoc, even if today's prices no longer quite follow the order of the ranks.
What is the difference between Saint-Émilion grand cru and grand cru classé?
Saint-Émilion grand cru is an appellation, with stricter production rules than Saint-Émilion; several hundred wines carry it. Grand cru classé and premier grand cru classé are ranks in the classification, awarded to 85 châteaux in 2022.
Why is Haut-Brion in the Médoc classification?
In 1855, its reputation and its prices matched those of the greatest Médocs: it was classified as a first growth with them, even though it is in Pessac, in the Graves. It has also been a classified growth of Graves since 1959.
Is a second wine classified?
No. The classification applies to the château's grand vin. The second wine benefits from the same terroir and the same team, at a much gentler price: see second wines of great châteaux.
A particular classified growth, a particular vintage? Ask us for it: availability and price within 48 working hours.