Bordeaux Classifications Flashcards
Graves ( Pessac-Leognan) Classifications
- The wines of the Graves were classified in 1959 with parallel, but separate, list for red and white wines.
- There is not ranking: all wines call themselves Cru Classé.
- Chateau Haut-Brion is included, although it retains its 1855 Classification.
- All the Cru Classe chateaux are within Pessac-Leognan AC.
Saint-Emilion classifications
- The Classification system in Saint-Emilion is partly integrated into the appellation system.
- There is a separate appellations:
- Saint Emilion Gran Clu Classé
- Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé
- ——-Premier Gran Cru Classé A (Chateaux Angelus, Cheval Blanc and Chateau Ausone and Pavie 2012)
- ——-Premier Gran Cru Classe B ( the rest) - The original classification was made in 1955.
- There are reclassifications every 10 years.
- In 2006, the reclassifications it was annulled. So, today is still the one of 2012
Cru Borgeois classification
- In 1932 a new classification, Cru Bourgeois, was created for the other chateaux in the Medoc outside the 1855.
- In 2003, many Chateaux were removed, but in 2007, many chateaux complained and were annulled.
- From 2008 any Medoc wine can be submitted for assessment by tasting panel and the tittle Cru Bourgeois maybe awarded to a specific vintage, not the chateau itself.
- For each vintage, a chateau has to resubmit ist wine to retain the tittle.
- The term Label Cru Bourgeois is still used as a mark of quality rather than a classification.
- There is not internal ranking.
- Cru Bourgeois is a designation of quality.
- The right to use the term is determined by a visit to the property, and results, determined by tasting the wine.
- It is an annual qualification, awarded by an independent organisation.
- The qualification may be obtained by any property in the Medoc.
1855 Classification
- In 1855, with the Paris Universal Exhibition, the Bourdeaux Chamber of Commerce was approached to produce an official list of their best wines.
- List was based on existing, unofficial classifications and the prices that the various wines have been fetching on the market.
- The classification applies to individual chateaux and not to the vineyard.
4 Currently, after changes, represented the current quality levels of the wines is a constant debate. - In Medoc the chateaux were divided into 5 ranks.
- Top rank is Chateaux Lafite, Latour, and Margaux, with Chateau Haut Brion from Graves. Mounton-Rothschild joined in 1973.
- In Sauternes 3 ranks: Chateau D-Yquem it is top ranks.
8.The 1855 Classification accounted for only a very small number of the estates of the Medoc.
Match the following châteaux with their respective classification/Growth and commune.
Clerc-Milon
Lascombes
Talbot
Palmer
Clerc-Milon: 5th Growth, Pauillac
Lascombes: 2nd Growth, Margaux
Talbot: 4th Growth, St-Julien
Palmer: 3rd Growth, Margaux
Which commune in the Médoc has the most classified growths?
Which has the most First Growths?
Margaux
Pauillac
Name the 4 “Premiers Grands Crus Classé A” of the 2012 St. Emilion Classification
Chateau Ausone
Chateau Cheval Blanc
Chateau Pavié
Chateau Angelus
What is the “microchateau” or “garagiste” movement in Bordeaux?
Name 3 examples and where they produce wines.
A group of small châteaux making powerfully ripe and polished modern wines from just a handful of acres.
Particularly on right bank. Tiny quantities of wine made with no expense spared in vineyard or winery.
Low yield vines produce super ripe grapes.
Aged in new oak, giving toasty flavours and complexity.
Prices are high due to the tiny quantities produced.
Popularity influenced by US wine critic Robert Parker in mid 1990´s, now declining in importance.
Le Pin in Pomerol.
Valandraud and La Mondotte in St-Émilion.
Chateau Lynch-Bages is a ___ Growth in which commune?
5th Growth, Pauillac.
What is the name of the original classification of the best red and white wines of The Medoc and Sauternes?
How are wines in this classification referred?
Who commissioned this ranking?
What data did they use to structure the rankings?
1855 classification
Crus Classé
Napoleon III
Record of the prices each property’s wine commanded; the higher the price, the higher the ranking.
Match the following châteaux with their respective classification/Growth and commune.
Château Léoville Las Cases
Château Cos d’Estournel
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild
Château Léoville Las Cases: 2nd Growth, St-Julien
Château Cos d’Estournel: 2nd Growth: St-Estephe
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild: 4th Growth, Pauillac
How many “Growths” in the historical 1855 classification of Bordeaux Red wine?
White wine?
Red - 5
White 3
What are the 5 First Growths of Bordeaux?
Which Chateau is unusual and for what reason?
- Latour
- Lafite-Rothschild
- Mouton-Rothschild (not originally classified as a First Growth in 1855, later added in 1973)
- Margaux
- Haut-Brion
What 2 terms can be applied to wines outside the Crus Classé classification?
What are the differences bewtween them?
Cru Artisan and Cru Bourgeois.
Cru Artisan: Reserved for smaller estates (smaller than 5 ha), the list is reviewed every 10 years. Wines must be from 1 of the 8 Medoc communes.
Cru Bourgeois: A superior designation that must be applied for each year; applies only to the individual wine and not the entire estate. Wines must be from 1 of the 8 Medoc communes.
Within the context of Bordeaux, what is unique about the classification system in St-Emilion?
It forms part of the appellation system.
Chateau Lynch-Moussas is a ___ Growth in which commune?
5th Growth, Pauillac
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou is a ___ Growth in which commune?
2nd Growth / St.-Julien
