Saint-Émilion Classification

Question 1

List the 3 new AOCs that were created in 1954 as a result of the vignerons of Saint-Émilion’s first attempt at drafting a certification of their own.

Answer 1

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Question 2

When were the AOCs of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé and Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé eliminated as appellations, but not classifications?

Answer 2

1984

Question 3

When was the first list of premier grand cru classé (divided into A and B tiers), grand cru classé, and grand cru estates, completed in 1955, legally enacted?

Answer 3

1958

Question 4

List all of the year in which the Saint-Émilion Classification was updated since its creation in 1955.

Answer 4

1969, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2012, 2022.

Question 5

Which revision year jeopardized the continued integrity of the system as a group of demoted châteaux brought legal action and scuttled the results?

Answer 5

2006

Question 6

What was the ruling rendered by the French courts in 2009 regarding the controversies of the 2006 revision?

Answer 6

The ruling allowed châteaux promoted in 2006 to retain their new status while demotions were rendered invalid.

Question 7

What did the Saint-Émilion Wine Council decided to do in 2012 to maintain the classification’s unique means of quality control and shield it from future legal problems?

Answer 7

It shifted authority over the classification to the INAO and created an appeals process for demoted châteaux.

Question 8

The current classification, published in 2022, was entirely conducted by the INAO in accordance with set principles: 5 key points.

Answer 8

1. Analyses of soil
2. Topography
3. Viticultural and winemaking techniques
4. Examination of the estate’s reputation
5. Tasting spanning a decade of vintages

Question 9

Which 4 formerly ranked châteaux withdrew from the 2022 classification?

Answer 9

Angelus (Classe A)
Ausone (Classe A)
Cheval Blanc (Classe A)
Château La Gaffelière (Classe B)

Question 10

St-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés A List 2022 (2)

Answer 10

Château Pavie
Château Figeac (Promoted in 2022)

Question 11

St-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés B List 2022 (12)

Answer 11

Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
Château Beauséjour
Château Bélair-Monange (known simply as Belair until the 2008 vintage)
Château Canon
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
Clos Fourtet
Château Larcis-Ducasse
La Mondotte
Château Pavie-Macquin
Château Troplong-Mondot
Château Trotte Vieille
Château Valandraud

Question 12

How many St-Émilion Grands Crus Classés estates (not Premiers Grands Crus Classés A or B) are part of the 2022 ranking?

Answer 12

71

Question 13

Extra INAO scoring criteria regarding tastings for Premier Grand Cru Classé vs simply Grand Cru Classé?

Answer 13

Grand Cru Classé:
tasting of 10 vintages of the wine

Premier Grand Cru Classé:
tasting of 10 vintages of the wine
+
tasting of an additional 5 vintages of the wine (with greater maturity)

Question 14

What happened to Château Magdelaine in 2012, previously ranked as Premier Grand Cru Classé B?

Answer 14

It merged with Château Bélair-Monange (B) in 2012.