Explore the renowned wines that were recognized for its superior quality as early as the Napoleonic era.

History

The 1855 Exposition Universelle, was one of the biggest world’s fairs held in Paris, France. During his reign, Emperor Napoleon III requested for a grand presentation of the finest Bordeaux wines, for this exposition. Further entrusting wine traders with the responsibility of ranking Bordeaux wines according to their reputation and price. This resulted in one of the most significant events in the history of wine, the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, which has largely remained untouched to this day.

Classification

The wines were classified based on their quality, ranging from first to fifth growth (class/crus). Majority of the wines were red, with a total of 60 chateaus from Médoc and 1 from Pessac-Léognan, Graves. Also ranking sweet wines from Sauternes and Barsac which included 27 chateaux.

The red wines classified are primarily made with Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in well-structured, age-worthy wines with complex notes of blackcurrant, black cherries, tobacco, and herbs. In addition, sweet white wines are predominantly produced from a blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadet.

Controversies

The 1855 classification had a significant impact on the wine industry, but it also sparked immediate controversies, one of which concerned the inclusion solely of the left bank of Bordeaux. Despite several criticisms, this classification yet remains strong and sets a benchmark, by providing us with an accurate quality standard that continues to remain remarkable, as well as helping wine enthusiasts, traders and investors in their decision-making process.

1855 Classification list

1855 Classification list

  • Château Lafite-Rothschild Pauillac
  • Château Latour Pauillac
  • Château Margaux Margaux
  • Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac (elevated from the 2nd- growth in 1973)
  • Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan (added in 1859)
  • Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux
  • Château Cos-d’Estournel Saint-Estèphe
  • Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien
  • Château Durfort-Vivens Margaux
  • Château Gruaud-Larose Saint-Julien
  • Château Lascombes Margaux
  • Château Léoville-Barton Saint-Julien
  • Château Léoville-Las-Cases Saint-Julien
  • Château Léoville-Poyferré Saint-Julien
  • Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe
  • Château Pichon-Longueville-Baron-de-Pichon Pauillac
  • Château Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse-de-Lalande Pauillac
  • Château Rauzan-Ségla Margaux
  • Château Rauzan-Gassies Margaux
  • Château Boyd-Cantenac Margaux
  • Château Calon-Ségur Saint-Estèphe
  • Château Cantenac-Brown Margaux
  • Château Desmirail Margaux
  • Château Ferrière, Margaux, AOC Margaux Margaux
  • Château Giscours, Labarde Margaux
  • Château d’Issan, Cantenac Margaux
  • Château Kirwan, Cantenac Margaux
  • Château Lagrange, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle Saint-Julien
  • Château La Lagune, Ludon Haut-Médoc
  • Château Langoa-Barton, Saint-Julien-Beychevelle Saint-Julien
  • Château Malescot-Saint-Exupéry Margaux
  • Château Marquis-d’Alesme Margaux
  • Château Palmer, Cantenac Margaux
  • Château Beychevelle Saint-Julien
  • Château Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien
  • Château Duhart-Milon Pauillac
  • Château Lafon-Rochet Saint-Estèphe
  • Château Marquis-de-Terme Margaux
  • Château Pouget, Cantenac Margaux
  • Château Prieuré-Lichine, Cantenac Margaux
  • Château Saint-Pierre Saint-Julien
  • Château Talbot Saint-Julien
  • Château La Tour-Carnet Haut-Médoc
  • Château d’Armailhac Pauillac
  • Château Batailley Pauillac
  • Château Belgrave Haut-Médoc
  • Château Camensac Haut-Médoc
  • Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc
  • Château Clerc-Milon Pauillac
  • Château Cos-Labory Saint-Estèphe
  • Château Croizet-Bages Pauillac
  • Château Dauzac Margaux
  • Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse Pauillac
  • Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac
  • Château Haut-Bages-Libéral Pauillac
  • Château Haut-Batailley Pauillac
  • Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac
  • Château Lynch-Moussas Pauillac
  • Château Pédesclaux Pauillac
  • Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac
  • Château du Tertre Margaux

Sweet Wine Classification

  • Château d’Yquem Sauternes
  • Château Climens Barsac
  • Clos Haut-Peyraguey Sauternes
  • Château Coutet Barsac
  • Château Guiraud Sauternes
  • Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes
  • Château Rabaud-Promis Sauternes
  • Château Rayne-Vigneau Sauternes
  • Château Rieussec Sauternes
  • Château Sigalas-Rabaud Sauternes
  • Château Suduiraut Sauternes
  • Château La Tour-Blanche Sauternes
  • Château d’Arche Sauternes
  • Château Broustet Barsac
  • Château Caillou Barsac
  • Château Doisy-Daëne Barsac
  • Château Doisy-Dubroca Barsac
  • Château Doisy-Védrines Barsac
  • Château Filhot Sauternes
  • Château Lamothe (Despujols) Sauternes
  • Château Lamothe-Guignard Sauternes
  • Château de Malle Sauternes
  • Château de Myrat Barsac
  • Château Nairac Barsac
  • Château Romer-du-Hayot Sauternes
  • Château Romer Sauternes
  • Château Suau Barsac