Navigating Bordeaux Wines: Key Appellations, Villages, and Châteaux
Bordeaux wines are renowned globally, but navigating the appellation system can be daunting. Unlike wine regions in other parts of the world, Bordeaux bottles rarely list grape varieties, making it helpful to understand the appellations, key villages, and distinguished châteaux. To simplify your journey through Bordeaux's rich wine landscape, here's a brief introduction to its wine appellations:
The Médoc (Left Bank)
The Médoc is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon blends, which produce bold wines with high levels of tannins.
Once a marshland, the area was drained in the 17th century with the expertise of Dutch merchants and subsequently planted with vineyards. The predominantly gravel soil ensures good drainage and retains warmth, making it ideal for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon. Additionally, parts of the Médoc feature clay and limestone blends, which are well-suited for growing Merlot. The grape varieties commonly grown in the Médoc include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
You may recognize some of the Médoc’s prestigious appellations, such as Margaux with its 21 Grands Crus Classés, Saint-Julien, the smallest commune in the Médoc, established as an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (protected designation of origin) in 1936, Pauillac, home to illustrious estates like Château Lafite, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild, and Saint-Estèphe, known for wines with remarkable aging potential.
Graves and Pessac-Léognan
Graves and Pessac-Léognan are celebrated for their exceptional red wines made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as their dry white wines crafted from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
The region's soil composition includes gravel, sand, clay, and limestone, providing an ideal terroir for these varietals.
Originally part of Graves, Pessac-Léognan became a separate appellation in 1987 and is now the closest wine region to Bordeaux city. Sixteen wineries in Pessac-Léognan hold the esteemed Cru Classé de Graves status, including notable estates like Château Haut-Brion, Château Pape Clément, and Château Smith Haut Lafitte.
Sauternes
Sauternes is renowned for its sweet white wines made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. This region benefits from a unique climate, characterized by morning fogs and warm afternoons, which encourages the development of noble rot, essential for producing these exceptional wines.
The Sauternes appellation comprises five communes: Barsac, Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, and Preignac. Wines produced in these villages can be labeled as Sauternes, while Barsac wines also have the option to be labeled under the Barsac appellation due to its slightly different soil type, resulting in lighter wines compared to those from Sauternes.
The most famous château in the appellation is Château d'Yquem, the only Premier Cru Supérieur for Sauternes and Barsac in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, and a favorite of Thomas Jefferson.
Entre-Deux-Mers
Entre-Deux-Mers, which means "between two seas" in English, is nestled between Bordeaux's two major rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne.
This appellation is best known for its dry, zesty, and fresh white wines made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and occasionally Muscadelle grapes. In addition to its renowned whites, Entre-Deux-Mers also produces easy-drinking, smooth red wines made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc, as well as some delightful sweet white wines.
Libournais, Saint-Emilion & Pomerol (Right Bank)
The right bank, known for its Merlot and Cabernet Franc, produces red wines that are moderately bold with softer tannins. The terroir is diverse, featuring significant amounts of clay, with patches of limestone and gravel.
Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to prestigious estates such as Château Angélus, Château Ausone, Château Cheval Blanc, and Château Pavie.
Pomerol is a small area where producers work on very small plots. Family-run wineries here produce high-quality red wines that are well worth trying. Notable estates include Château Pétrus, renowned for its vineyards planted on blue clay, and Le Pin, with its worldwide reputation. Unlike other regions, Pomerol has no classification system.
Bourg & Blaye
Bourg and Blaye are lesser-known but noteworthy parts of the Bordeaux vineyards. Situated on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, this area produces both dry white wines and red wines of good quality at more affordable prices. The red wines from Blaye are crafted from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The dry white wines of Côtes de Blaye are primarily made from Colombard and Ugni Blanc.
What is the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855?
After exploring the diverse appellations of Bordeaux, it's essential to understand the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, a pivotal system that defines the prestige and hierarchy of the region's wines. This classification was established for the Exposition Universelle, the World's Fair held in Paris in 1855. At the request of Napoleon III, a classification system was created to help consumers navigate the complexity of Bordeaux's regional wines and identify the finest offerings.
The classification is divided into two main categories: one for the red wines of the Médoc and Graves, and another for the sweet white wines of Sauternes and Barsac. Notably, this system has been updated only once, in 1973, when Château Mouton Rothschild was elevated from Second Growth to First Growth. This enduring classification continues to influence the perception and valuation of Bordeaux wines on the global stage.
Red wines from the Médoc and Graves
60 Chateau from the Medoc and 1 from Graves (Château Haut Brion)
First Growths
Château Lafite-Rothschild – Pauillac
Château Latour – Pauillac
Château Margaux – Margaux
Château Mouton Rothschild – Pauillac
Château Haut-Brion – Pessac
Second Growths
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
Third Growths
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
Fourth Growths
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
Fifth Growths
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
Sweet Wines from Sauternes and Barsac
First Growth Superior
Château d’Yquem, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes
First Growths
Château La Tour Blanche – Sauternes
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – Sauternes
Clos Haut-Peyraguey – Sauternes
Château de Rayne Vigneau – Sauternes
Château Suduiraut – Sauternes
Château Coutet – Barsac
Château Climens – Barsac
Château Guiraud – Sauternes
Château Rieussec – Sauternes
Château Rabaud-Promis – Sauternes
Château Sigalas Rabaud– Sauternes
Second Growths
Château de Myrat – Barsac
Château Doisy Daëne – Barsac
Château Doisy-Dubroca– Barsac
Château Doisy-Védrines – Barsac
Château d’Arche – Sauternes
Château Filhot– Sauternes
Château Broustet – Barsac
Château Nairac – Barsac
Château Caillou – Barsac
Château Suau – Barsac
Château de Malle – Sauternes
Château Romer du Hayot – Sauternes
Château Romer – Sauternes
Château Lamothe – Sauternes
Château Lamothe-Guignard – Sauternes
The Graves Classification of 1953
In addition to the famed 1855 Classification, the Graves Classification was established in 1953 and updated in 1959 to recognize the high-quality wines from the Graves region. This classification exclusively features 16 Crus, all from the prestigious AOC Pessac-Léognan. Unlike the 1855 Classification, which separates red and sweet white wines, the Graves Classification includes both red and white wines within the same ranking system. This highlights the region's versatility and excellence in producing both styles. Notable estates within this classification include Château Haut-Brion, Château Pape Clément, and Château Smith Haut Lafitte, each celebrated for their exceptional contributions to Bordeaux's winemaking heritage.
Expanding your exploration of Bordeaux wines to include the Graves Classification offers a deeper appreciation of the region's diverse terroirs and winemaking prowess.
Classified Red Wines of Graves
Château Bouscaut, Cadaujac, red & white
Château Carbonnieux, Léognan, red & white
Domaine de Chevalier, Léognan, red & white
Château Couhins, Villenave-d’Ornon, white
Château Couhins-Lurton, Villenave-d’Ornon, white
Château de Fieuzal, Léognan, red
Château Haut-Bailly, Léognan, red
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac, red
Château Latour-Martillac, Martillac, red & white
Château Laville-Haut-Brion, Talence, white
Château Malartic-Lagravière, Léognan, red & white
Château La Mission-Haut-Brion, Talence, red
Château Olivier, Léognan, red & white
Château Pape-Clément, Pessac, red
Château Smith-Haut-Lafite, Martillac, red
Château La Tour-Haut-Brion, Talence, red
The Saint-Emilion Classification
The Saint-Émilion classification was initially established in 1954 to highlight the exceptional quality of wines produced in this renowned right bank appellation. Unlike the more static Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, the Saint-Émilion classification is revised approximately every 10 years to reflect changes in vineyard quality and winemaking practices. This dynamic approach ensures that only the finest estates retain their prestigious status.
The most recent classification was published in 2022, continuing the tradition of recognizing the region's top producers. The classification is divided into two main categories: Premier Grand Cru Classé A, the highest tier, and Premier Grand Cru Classé B, followed by the Grand Cru Classé. The regular updates to the Saint-Émilion classification ensure that it remains a relevant and reliable indicator of quality for wine enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
Premiers Grands Crus Classés A
Château Figeac
Château Pavie
Premiers Grands Crus Classés
Château Beau-Sejour Becot
Château Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau Lagarrosse
Château Belair Monange
Château Canon
Château Canon La Gaffelière
Château Larcis Ducasse
Château Pavie Macquin
Château Troplong Mondot
Château Trottevieille
Château Valandraud Clos Fourtet La Mondotte
Grands Crus Classés
Château Badette
Château Balestard La Tonnelle
Château Barde-Haut
Château Bellefont-Belcier
Château Bellevue
Château Berliquet
Château Boutisse
Château Cadet-Bon
Château Cap de Mourlin
Château Chauvin
Château Clos de Sarpe
Château Corbin
Château Corbin Michotte
Château Côte de Baleau
Château Croix de Labrie
Château Dassault
Château de Ferrand
Château de Pressac
Château Destieux
Château Faugeres
Château Fleur Cardinale
Château Fombrauge
Château Fonplegade
Château Fonroque
Château Franc Mayne
Château Grand Corbin
Château Grand Corbin-Despagne
Château Grand Mayne
Château Guadet
Château Haut-Sarpe
Château Jean Faure
Château La Commanderie
Château La Confession
Château La Couspoude
Château La Croizille
Château La Dominique
Château La Fleur Morange
Château La Marzelle
Château La Serre
Château La Tour Figeac
Château Laniote
Château Larmande
Château Laroque
Château Laroze
Château Le Chatelet
Château Le Prieuré
Château Mangot
Château Monbousquet
Château Montlabert
Château Montlisse
Château Moulin du Cadet
Château Peby Faugeres
Château Petit Faurie de Soutard
Château Ripeau
Château Rochebelle
Château Rol Valentin
Château Saint-Georges (Côte Pavie)
Château Sansonnet
Château Soutard
Château Tour Baladoz
Château Tour Saint Christophe
Château Villemaurine
Château Yon-Figeac
Clos Badon Thunevin
Clos de l’Oratoire
Clos des Jacobins
Clos Dubreuil
Clos Saint-Julien
Clos Saint-Martin
Couvent des Jacobins
Lassegue
Conclusion
Exploring the appellations and classifications of Bordeaux reveals a region rich in history, diversity, and exceptional winemaking. From the storied châteaux of the Médoc and Graves to the dynamic Saint-Émilion and the lesser-known gems of Bourg and Blaye, Bordeaux offers a unique tapestry of terroirs and traditions. The intricate classification systems, whether from 1855, 1953, or the regularly updated Saint-Émilion rankings, provide a framework that guides wine enthusiasts through the complexity of Bordeaux wines. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, a journey to Bordeaux offers an unparalleled experience that celebrates the art of winemaking.