Bordeaux Left Bank
On the Left Bank of Bordeaux, you can find all the First Growth Bordeaux and other 1855 Classified Bordeaux wines of the Medoc, including the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Growths. Over 200 chateaux in the area are classified as Cru Bourgeois, most located in Haut Medoc. Still, some are scattered throughout the region, ranging from slightly above St. Estephe to below Margaux in the south. Additionally, more than 40 chateaux are called Artisan Crus, cooperatives, and countless small, unknown growers in the Left Bank of Bordeaux.
The classification of the Medoc dates back to 1855, when chateaux from the top appellations in the Left Bank, including Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac, Saint Estephe, and Chateau Haut Brion from Pessac Léognan, were included in the classification. The first classification of Left Bank Bordeaux producers, classed as Cru Bourgeois, took place in 1932, while Pessac Leognan's classification was finalized in 1959.
Look no further if you're searching for the most outstanding vintages on the Left Bank. These vintages have been thoroughly vetted and are guaranteed to impress even the most discerning connoisseur. Here is a comprehensive list of the top contenders: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1982, 1971, 1970, 1966, 1961, 1959, 1955, 1953, 1949, 1948, and 1945.
It's important to note that in the past, only a few vineyards on the Left Bank could produce truly exceptional wines, particularly when looking at older vintages from 1982 and earlier. However, today, it's generally agreed that almost every chateau is making its best wine ever.
1855 Medoc First Growth:
Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac
Château Latour Pauillac
Château Margaux Margaux
Château Haut-Brion Pessac, Graves (since 1986, Pessac-Léognan)
1855 Medoc Second Growth:
Château Mouton-Rothschild (elevated to first-growth in 1973) Pauillac
Château Rauzan-Ségla (Rauzan-Ségla) Margaux
Château Rauzan-Gassies Margaux
Château Léoville Las Cases St.-Julien
Château Léoville Poyferré St.-Julien
Château Léoville Barton St.-Julien
Château Durfort-Vivens Margaux
Château Gruaud-Larose St.-Julien
Château Lascombes Margaux
Château Brane-Cantenac Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pichon Longueville Lalande) Pauillac
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St.-Julien
Château Cos-d'Estournel St.-Estèphe
Château Montrose St.-Estèphe
1855 Medoc third Growth:
Château Kirwan Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château d'Issan Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Lagrange St.-Julien
Château Langoa Barton St.-Julien
Château Giscours Labarde-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Malescot-St.-Exupéry Margaux
Château Cantenac-Brown Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Boyd-Cantenac Margaux
Château Palmer Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château La Lagune Ludon (Haut-Médoc)
Château Desmirail Margaux
Château Calon-Ségur St.-Estèphe
Château Ferrière Margaux
Château Marquis-d'Alesme-Becker Margaux
1855 Medoc Fourth Growth:
Château St.-Pierre St.-Julien
Château Talbot St.-Julien
Château Branaire-Ducru St.-Julien
Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild Pauillac
Château Pouget Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château La Tour Carnet Saint.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château Lafon-Rochet St.-Estèphe
Château Beychevelle St.-Julien
Château Prieuré-Lichine Cantenac-Margaux (Margaux)
Château Marquis de Terme Margaux
1855 Medoc Fifth Growth:
Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac
Château Batailley Pauillac
Château Haut-Batailley Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse Pauillac
Château Lynch Bages Pauillac
Château Lynch-Moussas Pauillac
Château Dauzac Labarde (Margaux)
Château Mouton-Baronne-Philippe (Château d'Armailhac after 1989) Pauillac
Château du Tertre Arsac (Margaux)
Château Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac
Château Pédesclaux Pauillac
Château Belgrave St.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château Camensac (Château de Camensac) St.-Laurent (Haut-Médoc)
Château Cos Labory St.-Estèphe
Château Clerc Milon Pauillac
Château Croizet-Bages Pauillac
Château Cantemerle Macau (Haut-Médoc)
1855 Sauternes & Barsac: This classification pertains to a delectable sweet white wine that emerged simultaneously with its Medoc & Graves counterpart, adhering to identical standards.
Classification of Graves: In 1953, at the request of the Syndicat de défense de l’appellation des Graves, the Institut national des appellations d’origine (INAO) established this classification.