The wines of Bordeaux have long been renowned as some of the most exceptional and sought after wines in the world. Amongst these wines, the ‘First Growth’ or ‘Premier Cru’ wines hold a particularly special status. These wines are known for their exceptional terroirs, winemaking, and increasing global demand, which has led to them commanding ever increasing prices and quality.
But how did this all come about? The story begins in 1855, when France was hosting The Exhibition of Paris. The then Emperor Napoleon III wanted to showcase the quality of the wines of Bordeaux, and so a group of wine merchants and negociants called the ‘Syndicat of Cortiers’ was formed. It was their mission to rank the best chateaux and producers in the region.
The Syndicat of Cortiers ranked the wines of Bordeaux based on their pricing, quality, and sales. The wines were rated into First Growths, through to 5th Growths. It should be noted that no right bank wines, namely St. Emilion & Pommerol were classified.
The initial First Growths were Chateaux’s Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Margaux from the Medoc and Haut Brion from Pessac-Leognan in Graves. However, it wasn’t until 120 years later, in 1973, that the Fifth 1st Growth Ch. Mouton Rothschild was added to the list.
Below you can find the full list of the classification, which remains a testament to the exceptional quality of the wines of Bordeaux.
PREMIERS CRUS
Château LAFITE-ROTHSCHILD – Pauillac
Château LATOUR – Pauillac
Château MARGAUX – Margaux
Château MOUTON ROTHSCHILD – Pauillac
Château HAUT-BRION – Pessac
DEUXIÈMES CRUS
Château RAUZAN-SÉGLA – Margaux
Château RAUZAN-GASSIES – Margaux
Château LÉOVILLE LAS CASES – Saint-Julien
Château LÉOVILLE-POYFERRÉ – Saint-Julien
Château LÉOVILLE BARTON – Saint-Julien
Château DURFORT-VIVENS – Margaux
Château GRUAUD LAROSE – Saint-Julien
Château LASCOMBES – Margaux
Château BRANE-CANTENAC – Margaux
Château PICHON BARON – Pauillac
Château PICHON LONGUEVILLE COMTESSE de LALANDE – Pauillac
Château DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU – Saint-Julien
Château COS d’ESTOURNEL – Saint-Estèphe
Château MONTROSE – Saint-Estèphe
TROISIÈMES CRUS
Château KIRWAN – Margaux
Château d’ISSAN – Margaux
Château LAGRANGE – Saint-Julien
Château LANGOA BARTON – Saint-Julien
Château GISCOURS – Margaux
Château MALESCOT SAINT-EXUPÉRY – Margaux
Château BOYD-CANTENAC – Margaux
Château CANTENAC BROWN – Margaux
Château PALMER – Margaux
Château LA LAGUNE – Haut-Médoc
Château DESMIRAIL – Margaux
Château CALON SÉGUR – Saint-Estèphe
Château FERRIÈRE – Margaux
Château MARQUIS d’ALESME BECKER – Margaux
QUATRIÈMES CRUS
Château SAINT-PIERRE – Saint-Julien
Château TALBOT – Saint-Julien
Château BRANAIRE-DUCRU – Saint-Julien
Château DUHART-MILON – Pauillac
Château POUGET – Margaux
Château LA TOUR CARNET – Haut-Médoc
Château LAFON-ROCHET – Saint-Estèphe
Château BEYCHEVELLE – Saint-Julien
Château PRIEURÉ-LICHINE – Margaux
Château MARQUIS de TERME – Margaux
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 – 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 – Saint-Estèphe
Château CLERC MILON – Pauillac
Château CROIZET-BAGES – Pauillac
Château CANTEMERLE – Haut-Médoc