The 1855 ranking

Set up in 1461 by Louis XI, the Bordeaux parliament brought together all the large local fortunes. It was these MPs who would go on to develop the wine region through the 17th and 18th centuries, introduce the concept of “cru” and found the first “wine châteaux”.

More informations

Reduce

CDT 33 - Bernard Nadeau

The first Grand Cru would be Château Haut-Brion in Pessac.

Recognising the value of the soil and wines it produced, the Cru helped to bring about the first quotes – unofficial to begin with – between wine professionals. This was when “brokers” first emerged.

The benchmark ranking for Bordeaux wines, which still carries weight today, dates back to 1855. Drawn up during the Paris Universal Exhibition at Napoleon III’s request, this official ranking groups together 61 red wines from the Médoc and Graves and 27 dessert whites from Sauternes and Barsac.

It was at the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the request for ranking impériales (extra large bottles) was made. The domination of Médoc and Graves wines and the absence of a Chamber of Commerce in Libourne explains why only wines on the left bank of the Garonne were presented at the Universal Exhibition and ranked.

The 1855 Médoc and Graves ranking includes 1 Cru from the Graves (Château Haut-Brion ) and 60 Crus from the Médoc. They break down as follows: 5 Premiers Crus, 14 Deuxièmes Crus, 14 Troisièmes Crus, 10 Quatrièmes Crus and 18 Cinquièmes Crus.

The ranking of Sauternes and Barsac crus is somewhat different from the Médoc one because it only comprises three classes, Premier Cru Supérieur, Premiers Crus and Deuxièmes Crus: 1 Premier Cru Supérieur, 11 Premiers Crus and 15 Deuxièmes Crus. The "Premier Cru Supérieur" is a class that doesn’t exist in the Médoc. It is only attributed to Château d'Yquem .

ZOOM on the Grands Crus Classés of the Médoc in 1855 Reduce

ZOOM on the Grands Crus Classés of the Médoc in 1855

PREMIERS CRUS

Château LAFITE-ROTHSCHILD – Pauillac

Château MOUTON ROTHSCHILD - Pauillac

Château LATOUR - Pauillac

Château HAUT-BRION - Pessac

Château MARGAUX – Margaux

SECONDS CRUS

Château RAUZAN-SEGLA - Margaux Château BRANE-CANTENAC - Margaux

Château RAUZAN-GASSIES - Margaux Château PICHON-LONGUEVILLE - Pauillac

Château LEOVILLE LAS CASES - Saint-Julien Château PICHON LONGUEVILLE

Château LEOVILLE-POYFERRE - Saint-Julien COMTESSE DE LALANDE - Pauillac

Château LEOVILLE BARTON - Saint-Julien Château DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU - Saint-Julien

Château DURFORT-VIVENS - Margaux Château COS D'ESTOURNEL - Saint-Estèphe

Château GRUAUD LAROSE - Saint-Julien Château MONTROSE - Saint-Estèphe

Château LASCOMBES – Margaux

TROISIEMES CRUS

Château KIRWAN - Margaux Château CANTENAC BROWN - Margaux

Château D'ISSAN - Margaux Château PALMER - Margaux

Château LAGRANGE - Saint-Julien Château LA LAGUNE - Haut-Médoc

Château LANGOA BARTON - Saint-Julien Château DESMIRAIL - Margaux

Château GISCOURS - Margaux Château CALON SEGUR - Saint-Estèphe

Château MALESCOT SAINT-EXUPERY - Margaux Château FERRIERE - Margaux

Château BOYD-CANTENAC - Margaux Château MARQUIS D'ALESME BECKER – Margaux

QUATRIEMES CRUS

Château SAINT-PIERRE - Saint-Julien Château LA TOUR CARNET - Haut-Médoc

Château TALBOT - Saint-Julien Château LAFON-ROCHET - Saint-Estèphe

Château BRANAIRE-DUCRU - Saint-Julien Château BEYCHEVELLE - Saint-Julien

Château DUHART-MILON - Pauillac Château PRIEURE-LICHINE - Margaux

Château POUGET - Margaux Château MARQUIS DE TERME – Margaux

CINQUIEMES CRUS

Château PONTET-CANET - Pauillac Château DU TERTRE - Margaux

Château BATAILLEY - Pauillac Château HAUT-BAGES LIBERAL - Pauillac

Château HAUT-BATAILLEY - Pauillac Château PEDESCLAUX - Pauillac

Château GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE - Pauillac Château BELGRAVE - Haut-Médoc

Château GRAND-PUY DUCASSE - Pauillac Château CAMENSAC - Haut-Médoc

Château LYNCH-BAGES - Pauillac Château COS LABORY - Saint-Estèphe

Château LYNCH-MOUSSAS - Pauillac Château CLERC MILON - Pauillac

Château DAUZAC - Margaux Château CROIZET-BAGES - Pauillac

Château D'ARMAILHAC - Pauillac Château CANTEMERLE - Haut-Médoc

Zoom on the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac in 1855

PREMIER CRU SUPERIEUR

Château d’YQUEM – Sauternes

PREMIERS CRUS

Barsac: Château Climens , Château COUTET

Sauternes: Châteaux LA TOUR BLANCHE , Château LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY , Château GUIRAUD , Château CLOS HAUT-PEYRAGUEY , Château RIEUSSEC , Château RAYNE-VIGNEAU , Château RABAUD-PROMIS , Château SUDUIRAUT , Château SIGALAS-RABAUD

SECONDS CRUS

Barsac: Château BROUSTET , Château de MYRAT , Château NAIRAC , Château DOISY DAÊNE , Château CAILLOU , Château DOISY-DUBROCA , Château SUAU , Château DOISY-VEDRINES ,

Sauternes: Château d’ARCHE , Château de MALLE , Château ROMER DU HAYOT , Château FILHOT , Château ROMER , Château LAMOTHE , Château LAMOTHE-GUIGNARD

CDT 33 - François Poincet

For more information

Other rankings

> Grave wines

An official order lay down the first list in 1953. This was revised and supplemented in 1959. Château Haut-Brion featured in the ranking of both Graves wines and Grands Crus Classés in 1855. It is the only Bordeaux wine to have been ranked twice.

The ranking of Graves wines comprises 6 Crus Classés in red and white, 7 Crus Classés in red and 3 Crus Classés in white.

> Saint-Emilion wines

The first ranking was published in 1955 following the initiative of the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine . It had two categories: Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A and B and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé .

This ranking stands out in that it is requested by vineyard owners. The crus that have already been ranked must carry out this task, as the ranking is revised in full every 10 years.

> The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc

The “bourgeoisie” first appeared in the 12^th century. Granted an exemption from fees on their wines, these wealthy families acquired excellent vineyards in the Médoc, which would be named "Crus des Bourgeois" and then "Crus Bourgeois ". Crus bourgeois now account for 40% of Médoc vines…

> The Crus Artisans

The wines listed as a "Cru Artisan " have been around for over 150 years. They are often produced on small properties (under 5 hectares).

44 AOC properties in the Médoc , Haut-Médoc , Listrac-Médoc , Moulis , Margaux , Pauillac , Saint-Julien and Saint-Estèphe are ranked as a "Cru Artisan".