The 1855 Bordeaux Classification: A Guide to the Great Châteaux
At 305 Wines, we are proud to call ourselves Bordeaux specialists. Bordeaux has always been at the heart of our selection, and our expertise has been recognized internationally – we were named a top Bordeaux retailer by Wine-Searcher, and as a Bordeaux educator, I am passionate about helping clients understand this historic wine region. There is truly no better place to buy Bordeaux in Miami than at 305 Wines.
The 1855 Classification – A Historic Benchmark
The 1855 Classification was created for the Exposition Universelle de Paris at the request of Napoleon III. Wine brokers from Bordeaux ranked the top châteaux of the Médoc (and one in Graves) based on reputation and market price at the time. These rankings still serve as a reference point today for collectors, merchants, and wine lovers.
The estates were divided into five levels (Growths or Crus) – from the prestigious First Growths down to the Fifth Growths.
First Growths (Premiers Crus)
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Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac)
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Château Latour (Pauillac)
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Château Margaux (Margaux)
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Château Haut-Brion (Graves/Pessac-Léognan)
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Château Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac) – promoted in 1973
Second Growths (Deuxièmes Crus)
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Château Rauzan-Ségla (Margaux)
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Château Rauzan-Gassies (Margaux)
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Château Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien)
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Château Léoville-Poyferré (Saint-Julien)
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Château Léoville-Barton (Saint-Julien)
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Château Durfort-Vivens (Margaux)
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Château Gruaud-Larose (Saint-Julien)
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Château Lascombes (Margaux)
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Château Brane-Cantenac (Margaux)
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Château Pichon Longueville Baron (Pauillac)
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Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac)
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Château Ducru-Beaucaillou (Saint-Julien)
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Château Cos d’Estournel (Saint-Estèphe)
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Château Montrose (Saint-Estèphe)
Third Growths (Troisièmes Crus)
Includes Château Lagrange (Saint-Julien), Château Giscours (Margaux), Château Malescot St. Exupéry (Margaux), Château Palmer (Margaux), among others.
Fourth Growths (Quatrièmes Crus)
Includes Château Talbot (Saint-Julien), Château Beychevelle (Saint-Julien), Château Pouget (Margaux), Château Branaire-Ducru (Saint-Julien), and others.
Fifth Growths (Cinquièmes Crus)
Includes Château Lynch-Bages (Pauillac), Château Pontet-Canet (Pauillac), Château d’Armailhac (Pauillac), Château Clerc Milon (Pauillac), and several more across Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, and Saint-Estèphe.
(Full listings are available in detailed classification charts, but what remains most important is the incredible legacy these estates continue to uphold today.)
Why It Still Matters
While much has changed since 1855, the classification remains one of the most significant markers of prestige in wine. Many of these estates continue to produce some of the finest and most collectible wines in the world. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, knowing the 1855 Classification helps place each château within Bordeaux’s rich hierarchy.
Bordeaux at 305 Wines
At 305 Wines, we are proud to offer an extensive range of Bordeaux – from everyday bottles to First Growths and rare vintages. Whether you are looking for a cellar-worthy Château Lafite Rothschild, an elegant Margaux, or a value-driven Saint-Julien, we are here to guide you.
As Miami’s best destination for Bordeaux, our selection, expertise, and commitment to quality make us unique.
Explore Bordeaux at 305 Wines
If you are searching for the best place to buy Bordeaux in Miami, visit us at 305 Wines. Discover our selection online or in-store, and let us help you find the perfect bottle – whether for tonight’s dinner or your cellar.