Left Bank vs Right Bank: Médoc Saint-Émilion

Any left bank vs right bank comparison in Bordeaux begins with recognizing different classification systems and their geographic scopes. The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, for example, primarily ranks red wines from the Médoc region. Château Haut-Brion from Graves is the notable exception. Emperor Napoleon III requested this system for the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris. It rested on a château's reputation and trading price. The rankings ran from first to fifth growths, or crus. We also mention a separate "Classification of Saint-Émilion wine", which covers a different area of Bordeaux. These distinct classifications, focusing on specific châteaux and regions, highlight the varied approaches to quality and regional identity across Bordeaux. They offer different profiles for collectors to consider when deciding what to acquire or hold at auction. For insights into acquiring these wines, see our guide on how to buy wine at auction.

What is the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855?

This classification system resulted from the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris. Emperor Napoleon III requested a ranking system for France's best Bordeaux wines. Brokers from the wine industry ranked wines based on a château's reputation and trading price. The red wines ran in importance from first to fifth growths (crus). All of them came from the Médoc region except for Château Haut-Brion from Graves. White wines, then considered less important than red wine, covered only the sweet varieties of Sauternes and Barsac. They ran from superior first growth to second growth.

Which châteaux does the 1855 Classification include?

The 1855 Classification lists numerous châteaux across its five red wine growth categories and two white wine categories. For red wines, the First Growths (Premiers Crus) include Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion from Pessac, Graves, and Château Mouton Rothschild from Pauillac. Château Mouton Rothschild was notably elevated from a Second Growth to a First Growth in 1973, after decades of intense lobbying by Philippe de Rothschild. It had been listed as a Second Growth in 1855. Other significant changes include the addition of Château Cantemerle as a Fifth Growth in 1856. Recorded plantings cover the removal of Château Dubignon, a Third Growth from Margaux, which Château Malescot St. Exupéry absorbed in 1960. Notable Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus) include Château Léoville-Las Cases and Château Cos d'Estournel. For white wines, Château d'Yquem is the sole Superior First Growth (Premier Cru Supérieur) from Sauternes. Others like Château Guiraud, also from Sauternes, rank as First Growths (Premier Crus). You can explore these regions and their classifications further on our Bordeaux map.

How does Bordeaux's 1855 Classification compare to other regional systems?

The 1855 Classification is producer-driven, awarded to individual châteaux. That characteristic contrasts with Burgundy's classification approach. In Burgundy, classifications are geographically focused. A specific vineyard or region carries a given classification regardless of the wine's producer. We detail Burgundy's main levels, in descending order of quality: Grand crus, Premier crus, village appellations, and regional appellations. The 1855 Classification, however, focuses on the château itself. Beyond the 1855 system, Bordeaux also includes other classifications such as the "Classification of Graves wine" and the "Classification of Saint-Émilion wine". The Médoc region also has the Cru Bourgeois classification system. It has been updated regularly since 1932, banned in 2007, and reinstated in 2010. This diversity in classification methods across France provides different frameworks for understanding wine quality and origin. For a deeper dive into these systems, see our guide to Bordeaux classifications.

What grape varieties are commonly found in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux wines utilize a range of grape varieties, both red and white. For red wines, prominent varieties listed include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. Cabernet Sauvignon originated in France and had 262,000 hectares cultivated globally in 2004. Merlot also originated in France, with 260,000 hectares cultivated in 2004. Cabernet Franc, another French variety, had 36,000 hectares cultivated in France. Carménère, originating in Médoc, France, had 8,800 hectares cultivated in Chile in 2009. The list includes white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle. Together these varieties account for the range of styles produced across the region. Understanding these grapes can help you evaluate a wine's potential for fine wine investment and inform your wine storage decisions.

Why is the 1855 Classification a subject of critique?

Critics have argued that the 1855 Classification has become outdated. It does not provide an accurate guide to the quality of wines made on each estate. The classification is of châteaux, not their specific vineyards. The actual vineyards owned by some wineries have expanded, shrunk, and been divided without reclassification. Indeed that as long as a vineyard parcel lies within the boundaries of the wine commune, it is eligible for use by any château, independent of the parcel's quality. Alexis Lichine, a member of a 1960 revision panel, launched a campaign to implement changes that lasted over thirty years. He cited Château Lynch-Bages, a Pauillac Fifth Growth, as an example. Through good management, that château makes wine worthy of a much higher classification. Conversely, Lichine noted that poor management could lead to a significant decline in quality. He pointed to Château Margaux's wines in the 1960s and 1970s. We cite Robert Parker, who regarded those wines as "far below what's expected of a First Growth". Other critics, including Robert Parker, Clive Coates (MW), and David Peppercorn (MW), have also made efforts to propose changes. Nothing has come of them. We attribute this lack of revision to the "likely negative impact on prices for any downgraded châteaux and the 1855 establishment's political muscle". In 2009, the British wine exchange Liv-ex released its own modern re-calculation, The Liv-ex Bordeaux Classification. It aimed to apply the original method to the contemporary economic context. When considering a wine's condition, our guide to wine ullage levels can provide additional context for your collection.

Feature	Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 (Médoc/Graves)	Burgundy Classification (General)
Focus	Château-driven	Geographically focused on vineyards
Red Wine Tiers	First to Fifth Growths (Premiers Crus to Cinquièmes Crus)	Grand crus, Premier crus, Village appellations, Regional appellations
White Wine Tiers	Superior First Growth to Second Growth (Sauternes/Barsac)	Grand crus, Premier crus, Village appellations, Regional appellations
Key Red Grapes	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carménère (general varieties)	Pinot Noir, Gamay
Key White Grapes	Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle (general varieties)	Chardonnay, Aligoté, Sauvignon Blanc
Top Tier Scope	Red: Médoc region (except Haut-Brion from Graves); White: Sauternes and Barsac	Grand Cru vineyards in Côte d'Or
Classification History	Established 1855, with minimal changes since	Developed from medieval times, formalized into AOCs in 1936

Comparing these classification systems, such as Bordeaux's 1855 to Burgundy's classification system, helps you understand the diverse approaches to defining and communicating wine quality across different regions.

To make informed decisions about your fine wine portfolio, compare the characteristics of different Bordeaux wines side-by-side. Our powerful comparison tool allows you to evaluate key attributes and make strategic choices for your collection, whether you are looking to buy or sell fine wine.