Understanding the Classification
The 1855 Classification remains the cornerstone of Bordeaux's reputation, a hierarchy created at the request of Emperor Napoleon III for the Paris Exposition. The merchants of the Bordeaux trade ranked the chateaux of the Medoc and Sauternes into five tiers, from Premier Cru (First Growth) through Cinquieme Cru (Fifth Growth), based on decades of trading prices and reputation.
The five First Growths of the Left Bank are Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Haut-Brion, and Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Remarkably, only one reclassification has ever occurred: Mouton Rothschild was promoted from Second to First Growth in 1973, following decades of campaigning by Baron Philippe de Rothschild.
The Right Bank operates under a separate system. Saint-Emilion has its own Grand Cru Classe classification, which is reviewed approximately every decade, creating a more dynamic but sometimes controversial ranking. Pomerol, home to the legendary Petrus, has never had an official classification at all.
Where the True Value Lies
While First Growths command the highest prices, the most astute collectors look to what are known as the Super Seconds for quality that rivals the top tier at a fraction of the price. Estates such as Leoville-Las Cases, Pichon Baron and Cos d'Estournel consistently produce wines of First Growth calibre, often scoring within a point or two of their more illustrious neighbours.
The Right Bank has also seen a surge of interest, with estates like Canon and Figeac earning their place among Bordeaux's elite. The 2022 reclassification of Saint-Emilion elevated Figeac to Premier Grand Cru Classe A status, reflecting what the market had long recognised.
The essential lesson for collectors is that classification does not always reflect current quality. A well-run Fifth Growth can produce wine that outshines a complacent Second Growth. The key is to follow the estates, not just the rankings.
Navigating Vintages
Vintage variation affects Bordeaux more than most wine regions. The maritime climate brings unpredictability, and even with modern viticulture, the differences between years remain significant. Understanding vintages is essential to making intelligent purchases.
The 2018 and 2019 vintages are widely regarded as modern greats, producing wines of exceptional concentration and balance. The 2020 vintage, harvested during the early months of the pandemic, proved exceptional despite the challenges, with many estates reporting some of their finest wines. The 2022 vintage is emerging as highly promising, with early assessments suggesting another excellent year.
When reading critic scores, look beyond the headline number. A 95-point wine from a challenging vintage may offer more intellectual interest and earlier drinking pleasure than a 98-point wine from a blockbuster year. The scores tell part of the story, but the context tells the rest.
"The greatest Bordeaux wines are not merely beverages. They are liquid history, the distilled essence of a place and a moment in time."
Jean-Pierre Moreau MS
The En Primeur System
En Primeur, or buying futures, is Bordeaux's unique system of selling wine before it is bottled. Each spring, typically in April, journalists, critics and merchants descend on Bordeaux to taste barrel samples from the previous vintage. Over the following weeks, chateaux release their wines at opening prices, with payment due upfront and delivery following 18 to 24 months later.
The system can offer genuine value, particularly for sought-after wines from great vintages where demand will push prices higher upon release. However, it also carries risks. Not every vintage appreciates in price, and the cost of storage and insurance during the waiting period adds to the overall expense.
The wisest approach is to buy En Primeur selectively: focus on the wines you genuinely wish to drink or cellar, compare the futures price against current vintages on the secondary market, and resist the pressure to buy everything in a hyped vintage. Patience and discipline are the collector's greatest assets.
Building a Bordeaux Collection
A well-constructed Bordeaux cellar should balance investment-grade wines with bottles destined for the dinner table. At the top end, allocate a portion to First Growths and the best Right Bank estates from great vintages, wines that will appreciate in value and provide extraordinary drinking experiences decades from now.
The middle tier should comprise Super Seconds and top-performing classified growths from strong vintages. These wines offer exceptional quality and will develop beautifully over 15 to 30 years, making them the workhorses of a serious collection.
Do not neglect the drinking end of your cellar. Well-chosen Cru Bourgeois and satellite appellations such as Lalande-de-Pomerol and Francs Cotes de Bordeaux provide excellent wines for everyday enjoyment at accessible prices.
Proper storage is non-negotiable. Maintain a constant temperature of 12 to 14 degrees Celsius, 65 to 75 percent humidity, and keep bottles away from vibration and light. Whether you invest in a home cellar or professional storage, the conditions in which your wines rest will determine how they develop.
For personalised guidance on building your Bordeaux collection, contact our team at [email protected]