Bordeaux’s Right Bank wasn’t classified in 1855, but Saint-Emilion introduced its equivalent system in 1955, ranking the appellation’s best properties. Here’s everything you need to know about the Saint-Emilion classification, how properties are ranked – and why it’s so controversial
While Bordeaux’s Left Bank was classified in 1855, the Right Bank didn’t establish an equivalent ranking until the 1950s. There are classifications for the Graves, Sauternes and Barsac, as well as the Médoc across the Gironde, but it is only Saint-Emilion that has been classified on the Right.
How does Saint-Emilion’s classification work?
The classification was first established in 1955, dividing the appellation’s properties into three levels of quality based on a scoring system. The top wines are classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé A, followed by those that are Premier Grand Cru Classé B and then the Grand Cru Classé.
From the beginning, the idea was to try and create a more democratic system that rewarded estates’ efforts and avoided complacency. While the 1855 Classification was assigned to the château – essentially the brand, rather than the wine or specific vineyards (meaning properties could expand and shrink, yet their status wouldn’t change), the Saint-Emilion classification is judged both on terroir and the château’s performance. The classification is also reassessed every 10-15 years, with the most recent update in 2022.
How are properties in Saint-Emilion classified?
As mentioned, the ranking of estates is based on a scoring system, out of 20.
For the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, the score is based on: a tasting of 15 vintages (representing 30% of the score); the property’s national and international reputation, its promotion and distribution (35%); the quality and consistency of the terroir (30%); and the property’s approach to viticulture, vinification and traceability (5%). To sit within this bracket, estates must earn 16 out of 20, with the best earning Premier Grand Cru Classé A status.
For the Grands Crus Classés, the score is based on: a tasting of 10 vintages (representing 50% of the score); the property’s national and international reputation, its promotion and distribution (20%); the quality and consistency of the terroir (20%); and the property’s approach to viticulture, vinification and traceability (10%). In essence, there is more focus on the tasting and the property’s practices, and less on terroir or its reputation and representation in the market. To achieve Grand Cru Classé status, a property must earn 14 out of the possible 20 points.
Because there is a detailed assessment of the soils, properties can have some but not all of their land classified. For example, Château Angélus had only 27 of its 39 hectares deemed worthy of Premier Grand Cru Classé A and Château Canon only has 24 of its 34 hectares classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé B.
Why is Saint-Emilion’s classification controversial?
While the intention to try and create a classification system that was both dynamic and about the land was noble, it hasn’t quite worked out that way. There is much debate about the different factors that contribute to a property’s score, with the proportion tied to distribution and marketing a particular point of contention. With its constant evolution, this gives more room for controversy – with anyone demoted inevitably disgruntled. All in all, the result is a legal battleground, with accusations of undue influence and more.
The initial classification took three years to finalize, and it has since been re-drawn in 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2012 and 2022. After the 2006 classification, five estates filed lawsuits against their demotion, while the 2012 only brought more cases to the courts.
Ahead of the 2022 classification, most of the Premier Grand Cru Classé A estates left the classification (Château Ausone, Angélus and Château Cheval Blanc), leaving just Château Pavie in the top rank of the classification, joined by Château Figeac in 2022.
What about Saint-Emilion Grand Cru?
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru is – confusingly – very different to Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. This isn’t a classification but an appellation – one that has the exact same geographic area as Saint-Emilion AC.
Properties need to apply to be part of the classification but can otherwise make wine under the area’s two appellations – Saint-Emilion AC or Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC.
“Grand Cru” status is not tied to the quality of the terroir but dictated by yields (a lower maximum of 40hl/ha), a higher minimum potential alcohol and longer minimum aging requirements (only permitted to be bottled 16 months after harvest), and must be estate-bottled. The idea is that this leads to a higher-quality, richer wine.
The current Saint-Emilion classification
The latest iteration of the Saint-Emilion classification was announced in 2022, with just two properties sitting at Premier Grand Cru Classé A level and 12 at Premier Grand Cru Classé B, and 63 Grands Crus Classés. Find the full list of estates below.
Premier Grand Cru Classé A
Premier Grand Cru Classé B
- Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
- Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse
- Château Bélair-Monange
- Château Canon
- Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
- Château Larcis Ducasse
- Château Pavie Macquin
- Château Troplong Mondot
- Château TrotteVieille
- Château Valandraud
- Clos Fourtet
- La Mondotte
Grand Cru Classé
- Château l’Arrosée
- Château Balestard la Tonnelle
- Château Barde-Haut
- Château Bellefont-Belcier
- Château Bellevue
- Château Berliquet
- Château Cadet-Bon
- Château Cap de Mourlin
- Château le Chatelet
- Château Chauvin
- Château Clos de Sarpe
- Château la Clotte
- Château la Commanderie
- Château Corbin
- Château Côte de Baleau
- Château la Couspaude
- Château Dassault
- Château Destieux
- Château la Dominique
- Château Faugères
- Château Faurie de Souchard
- Château de Ferrand
- Château Fleur Cardinale
- Château La Fleur Morange Mathilde
- Château Fombrauge
- Château Fonplégade
- Château Fonroque
- Château Franc Mayne
- Château Grand Corbin
- Château Grand Corbin-Despagne
- Château Grand Mayne
- Château les Grandes Murailles
- Château Grand-Pontet
- Château Guadet
- Château Haut Sarpe
- Clos des Jacobins
- Couvent des Jacobins
- Château Jean Faure
- Château Laniote
- Château Larmande
- Château Laroque
- Château Laroze Clos la Madeleine
- Château la Marzelle
- Château Monbousquet
- Château Moulin du Cadet
- Clos de l’Oratoire
- Château Pavie Decesse
- Château Peby Faugères
- Château Petit Faurie de Soutard
- Château de Pressac
- Château le Prieuré
- Château Quinault l’Enclos
- Château Ripeau
- Château Rochebelle
- Château Saint-Georges-Cote-Pavie
- Clos Saint-Martin
- Château Sansonnet
- Château la Serre
- Château Soutard
- Château Tertre Daugay
- Château la Tour Figeac
- Château Villemaurine
- Château Yon-Figeac
