Classification Questions

Question 1

Which estate in the Graves was the first identifiable property in the historical record?

Answer 1

Château Pape-Clément was the first mentioned as a papal gift to Bordeaux in 1305.

Question 2

What does Cru Artisan denote on a label?

Answer 2

That the property is one of 44 allowed to use the designation, works at a high level in the vineyard and winery, and is small and independantly owned. i.e. no banks, no insurance companies

Question 3

When was the Cru Bourgeois classification orignially established? And how many Châteaux?

Answer 3

In 1932, 444 Châteaux were divided into Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Cru Bourgeois Superieur, and Cru Bourgeois

Question 4

When was the final vintage of Château Laville-Haut-Brion?

Answer 4

2008, the fruit now produces Château La Mission Haut-Brion.

Question 5

What 1855 Classification lies furthest north?

Answer 5

Château Calon-Ségur

(Saint-Estéphe)

Question 6

Of the 1959 Graves Classification, how many Châteaux are Grand Cru de Classé de Graves for both rouge and blanc wines?

Answer 6

6 Châteaux

• Château Bouscant
• **Château Caronnieux
• Château de Olivier
• Domaine de Chevalier**
• **Château LaTour-Martillac
• Château Malartic-Lagraviere**

Question 7

Which Château were promoted to St. Émilion Premier Cru Classé B with the 2006 changes?

Answer 7

-Château Pavie-Macquin

-Château Troplong-Mondot

Question 8

The classification of St. Émilion is designed to be reviewd and updated every 10 years, since its first publication in 1955, when have the revisions been done?

Answer 8

1969

1985

1996

2006

2012

Question 9

When was the final vintage for Château La Tour Haut-Brion?

Answer 9

2005, the fruit now goes into the second red wine of Château La Mission Haut-Brion.

Question 10

When was the classification of St. Émilion first done?

Answer 10

1955

Question 11

When were the Graves Châteaux first classified?

Answer 11

In 1953, and revised with the addition of properties in 1959.

Question 12

Which Château were promoted to St. Émilion Premier Cru Classé B with the 2012 changes?

Answer 12

Château Cannon-la-Gaffelière

Château Larcis-Ducasse

La Mondotte

Château Valandraud

Question 13

What is the current status of Cru Bourgeois?

Answer 13

It was reinstated in 2008, but as an annual application for the status to a panel of tasters who are members and trade. Exceptionnel or Superieur were no longer allowed as designations.

But in 2020 they were reinstated.

Question 14

What vintages did Château d’Yquem not produce a wine?

Answer 14

1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992 & 2012

Question 15

Which Château were promoted to St. Émilion Premier Cru Classé A with the 2012 changes?

Answer 15

Château Angélus

Château Pavie

Question 16

Of the 1959 Graves Classification, how many Châteaux are Grand Cru Classé de Graves for blanc wine only?

Answer 16

3 Chateaux

Château Couhins
Château Couhins-Lurton
Château Laville-Haut-Brion

Question 17

What is the number of Cru Artisan properties in Bordeaux?

Answer 17

44

Question 18

Of the 1959 Graves Classification, how many Châteaux are Grand Cru Classé de Graves for rouge wine only?

Answer 18

7 Châteaux

Château de Fieuzal
Château Haut-Bailly
Château Haut-Brion
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Château Pape-Clément
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
Château La Tour-Haut-Brion

Question 19

How does a Château attain the level of St. Émilion Grand Cru?

Answer 19

It must meet the criteria for St. Émilion AOP, have a half degree more in alcohol, and may not be released until May 15th of the year following the harvest. This is not a classification, but an AOP - very misleading in the contex of Bordeaux.

Question 20

For the 2012 classification of St. Émilion, what was different from the previous classifications?

Answer 20

It was conducted by the INAO rather than the local producer’s syndicate, in the hopes of creating a classification with fewer legal challenges.