Bordeaux Wine Classification

There are many indicators to take into consideration when monitoring and researching the Bordeaux fine wine market to ultimately invest in fine wine.

Domains' reputation and the quality of a vintage often scored by respected wine critics such as Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson are some indicators that will help investors and fine wine professionals to segment the market.

One of the most important official classifications to consider when investing in the Bordeaux fine wine market is the Médoc Classification of 1855*.

The 1855 classification has taken an important place in the fine wine market, impacting market prices and demand from global markets.

It represents the foundation of the ‘modern’ fine wine market. Its structure has made possible the segmentation of the fine wine market into Blue Chip and Small Cap fine wines, allowing fine wine buyers to develop a better understanding of the market in term of performance.

This classification lists fine wine domains by ‘Growth’ with First Growth being the most prestigious wines. Each domain appears with their village and Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in brackets, when it is different from their village.

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 (Seconds 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, Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Pauillac (commonly known as Pichon Baron)
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac (also called Pichon Lalande or Pichon Comtesse)
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)
Lagrange, 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-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, 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 d'Armailhac, Pauillac
Château du Tertre, Arsac (Margaux)
Château Haut-Bages-Libéral, Pauillac
Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac
Château Belgrave, St.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
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)

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*For Medoc red wine only. This is not the only classification available for French wines and all wines listed in this classification may not be considered as investment grade wines. Boltons Investments may recommend clients to invest in 'equivalent' fine wines listed outside the 1855 classification such as fine wines of Saint-Emilion appelation (e.g. Château Ausone).