Cru Bourgeois: A Guide for Collectors
Updated
The Cru Bourgeois classification identifies leading estates from the Médoc appellation in Bordeaux. These estates were not included in the 1855 classification. The system has a dynamic history. It was updated regularly since 1932. It was then banned in 2007 and reinstated in 2010. The 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification ranked wines on a château's reputation and trading price in 1855. It has seen only two changes since its inception. The Cru Bourgeois system offers a more current assessment. For collectors, knowing this classification helps. It places a wine's potential value and style within the broader Bordeaux market. Cru Bourgeois wines often present a different value proposition from the often higher-priced 1855 classified growths. Those growths were ranked from first to fifth growths (crus). They focused almost entirely on red wines from the Médoc. This classification provides a framework for evaluating wines from the Médoc. It guides decisions on acquisition, cellaring, and eventual sale.
What is the origin of the Cru Bourgeois classification?
The Cru Bourgeois classification emerged to recognize many leading estates from the Médoc appellation. The 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification had left them out. The 1855 classification itself was established following a request from Emperor Napoleon III. He wanted a system to rank France's best Bordeaux wines for the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris. Brokers from the wine industry ranked these wines at the time. They worked from a château's reputation and trading price.
The 1855 classification focused mainly on red wines from the Médoc region. Château Haut-Brion from Graves was the sole exception. These red wines were ranked in importance from first to fifth growths (crus). White wines, considered less important at the time, were limited to the sweet varieties of Sauternes and Barsac. They were ranked only from superior first growth to second growth. This historical context highlights that the 1855 system was a snapshot of a specific moment. It left many quality Médoc estates unclassified. The newer system later sought to address that gap.
How does Cru Bourgeois compare to the 1855 Classification?
The Cru Bourgeois classification differs sharply from the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. The gap shows in both approach and flexibility. It has been "updated on a regular basis since 1932,". In contrast, the 1855 classification has seen only two changes since its inception. The first was the addition of Cantemerle as a fifth growth in 1856. The second was the elevation of Château Mouton Rothschild from a second growth to a first growth in 1973. A less known change was the removal of Château Dubignon, a third growth from Margaux. Château Malescot St. Exupéry absorbed it, as we also note.
Many wine critics have argued that the 1855 Classification became outdated. It does not provide an accurate guide to the quality of wines being made on each estate. Alexis Lichine, a member of an unsuccessful 1960 revision panel, launched a campaign for changes. He cited Château Lynch-Bages as an example of a Pauillac Fifth Growth producing wine worthy of a much higher classification. He credited good management and patient collection of parcels. Conversely, poor management can lead to a sharp decline in quality. Château Margaux's wines in the 1960s and 1970s show that. They were widely regarded as far below what is expected of a First Growth. Robert Parker published a top 100 Bordeaux estates in 1985. Liv-ex released a modern re-calculation of the 1855 classification in March 2009. It aimed to apply the original method to the current economic context.
The table below summarizes key differences between the two classifications:
| Feature | Cru Bourgeois | 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Region Covered | Médoc appellation (for estates not in 1855 classification) | Médoc region (reds, except Haut-Brion from Graves); Sauternes and Barsac (whites) |
| Basis of Classification | Updated on a regular basis since 1932 | Château's reputation and trading price in 1855 |
| Flexibility/Updates | Updated regularly since 1932, banned in 2007, reinstated in 2010 | Only two changes since 1855: Cantemerle added (1856), Mouton Rothschild elevated (1973); Château Dubignon removed |
| Number of Growths/Levels | Not established | Red wines: First to Fifth Growths (crus); White wines: Superior First Growth to Second Growth |
| Example Estates | Many leading estates from the Médoc appellation not in 1855 classification | Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Mouton Rothschild |
For further exploration of Bordeaux's geography, consult our producer atlas by region.
What grapes are typically found in Cru Bourgeois wines?
The 1855 classification focused on red wines from the Médoc region. Wines from Bordeaux, and above all the Médoc, are usually made from a blend of red grape varieties.
Common red grape varieties cultivated in France, include:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: First mentioned in the 17th century, with 262,000 hectares cultivated globally in 2004.
- Merlot: With 260,000 hectares cultivated globally in 2004.
- Cabernet Franc: Originating in the Loire Valley, with 36,000 hectares cultivated in France.
- Malbec: With 1,400 hectares cultivated in France.
- Petit Verdot: Originating in South West France. It had 1,600 hectares cultivated in Australia in 2000, 137 in Chile in 2009, and 360 in the United States in 2000.
- Carménère: Originating in Médoc, France, though 8,800 hectares were cultivated in Chile in 2009.
- Cinsaut: Originating in Languedoc-Roussillon, France.
- Alicante Henri Bouschet: A cross introduced in France in 1855.
The OIV International Standard for the Labelling of Wines states that "Varietal name" is optional information on wine labels. This means a wine may be identified by its appellation. The specific grape composition might not always appear on the label itself.
How has the Cru Bourgeois classification evolved?
The Cru Bourgeois classification has undergone several major changes. That dynamic nature contrasts with the more static 1855 classification. The system was first established and "updated on a regular basis since 1932,".
A notable period of change occurred in the late 2000s. The classification was "banned in 2007." Jane Anson of Decanter.com reported in July 2007 that the classification was "officially over." However, the system saw a swift revival, with Jane Anson reporting its reinstatement in February 2008. A "new listing launched" in September 2010, as reported by Adam Lechmere of Decanter.com and cited. This reinstatement in 2010 marked a return to a structured classification for these Médoc estates.
This evolution shows an ongoing effort to stay relevant. It also gives a current read on quality for estates within the Médoc. For collectors, these shifts matter. They inform the historical context and current standing of a Cru Bourgeois estate list wine.
What does the Cru Bourgeois classification mean for collectors?
For collectors, the Cru Bourgeois classification offers a valuable framework for navigating the Bordeaux wine market. It matters most for wines from the Médoc that are not part of the 1855 classification. The OIV International Standard for the Labelling of Wines includes "Appellation of origin or Geographical indication" as compulsory information. It lists "Traditional terms of quality" as optional information, and Cru Bourgeois falls under that heading. This classification provides an indication of quality and origin, helping you make informed decisions.
Its history of regular updates and reinstatement. The system therefore aims to offer a more current reflection of quality than the largely unchanged 1855 classification. This dynamic nature can mean that wines may provide excellent value. The 1855 classified growths often command higher prices. When weighing a purchase, you can use this classification as a guide. Also weigh other factors such as vintage quality and producer reputation. Do you view fine wine as an asset? Our guide to fine wine investment offers further insights.
When buying at auction, understanding classifications like this one is crucial for setting appropriate bids. Our all-in cost calculator can help you find the total cost of a purchase. It factors in the various fees. For guidance on the auction process itself, explore our how to buy wine at auction guide.
For wines in your cellar, the Cru Bourgeois designation can influence your decision to hold or sell. The 1855 classification is often associated with long-term investment. The regular updates of the newer system suggest a focus on current quality and market relevance. Monitoring the live fine wine market index can show broader market trends. Those trends may affect the value of your Cru Bourgeois holdings. Proper wine storage is vital to preserve the quality of any wine, whatever its rank. You can also track wines entering their drinking window to decide when to enjoy your bottles.
Want the most informed decisions about your wines? Leverage the 40/60 score available on every wine. It offers a full read on quality and market standing.