Cru Bourgeois Classification 03
The origins of the esteemed Cru Bourgeois classification can be traced back to the days of English dominion in Bordeaux. In those days, merchants have granted exemption from taxes on local sales and wine exports, allowing them to amass significant wealth and purchase the most prized plots in Médoc, which soon became known as the "Crus des Bourgeois". The pricing of these exceptional wines was first defined in 1740 by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce.
Fast forward to 1932, and the Cru Bourgeois classification was officially established, representing a lower-level designation than Cru Classé but of exceptional quality nonetheless. In 2010, the classification underwent an update, with the label now being granted yearly to individual wines based on a rigorous evaluation of both production processes and the final product. And it's worth noting that any property in Médoc may be considered for inclusion in this exclusive group.
Looking to the future, the classification will be divided into three distinct tiers, each lasting five years: Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. This development promises to enhance the quality and prestige of this already-renowned classification, cementing its place as one of the most esteemed in the world of wine.
Latest Update
The Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc has announced its new five-year classification. This classification, which now applies to the château instead of the wine, will last five years, allowing producers to focus on longer-term strategies.
The classification is based on a blind tasting of five vintages overseen by an independent body. It considers the vineyard's technical management and the property's marketing and promotion. The classification also considers environmental considerations, with producers expected to achieve a minimum of level 2 of High Environmental Value certification, depending on the tier.
This new classification includes 249 châteaux ranked into three tiers:
179 châteaux designated as cru bourgeois
56 châteaux designated as cru bourgeois supérieur
14 châteaux designated as cru bourgeois exceptionnel
Here are the 14 top-tier winners by region:
Haut-Médoc:
Château d’Agassac
Château Arnauld
Château Belle-Vue
Château Cambon La Pelouse
Château Charmail
Château Malescasse
Château de Malleret
Château du Taillan
Listrac-Médoc:
Château Lestage
Margaux:
Château d’Arsac
Château Paveil de Luze
St-Estèphe:
Château Le Boscq
Château Le Crock
Château Lilian Ladouys
This classification will apply to wines from the 2018 vintage through to that of 2022, and for the 2025 assessment, vintages from 2017 to 2021 will be tasted. We look forward to tasting some of these exceptional wines in the years to come.
Listicle
The Cru Bourgeois classification originated from merchants who were exempt from taxes on local sales and wine exports, allowing them to purchase the best plots in Médoc.
The classification was officially established in 1932 and represents a lower-level designation than Cru Classé but of exceptional quality nonetheless.
In 2010, the classification was updated to grant the label to individual wines, with an evaluation of both production processes and the final product.
The latest five-year classification applies to the château instead of the wine, and includes three tiers: Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.
The classification is based on a blind tasting of five vintages overseen by an independent body, with two additional criteria for the higher tiers: the technical management of the vineyard and the marketing and promotion of the property.
The latest classification includes 249 châteaux ranked in three tiers, with 14 top-tier winners: Châteaux d’Agassac, Arnauld, Belle-Vue, Cambon La Pelouse, Charmail, Malescasse, de Malleret, and du Taillan in the Haut-Médoc; Château Lestage in Listrac-Médoc; Châteaux d’Arsac and Paveil de Luze in Margaux; and Châteaux Le Boscq, Le Crock, and Lilian Ladouys in St-Estèphe.
The classification applies to wines from the 2018 vintage through to that of 2022, and for the 2025 assessment, vintages from 2017 to 2021 will be tasted.
Environmental considerations are also taken into account, with producers expected to achieve a minimum of level 2 of High Environmental Value certification depending on the tier.
What is the origin of the "Crus des Bourgeois" in Médoc?
a) It originated as a result of high taxes on wine exports
b) Merchants were exempt from taxes on local sales and wine exports, allowing them to purchase the best plots in Médoc
c) It was a result of a government initiative to promote local wine production
d) It was a marketing ploy by the local winemakers
When was the Cru Bourgeois classification officially established?
a) 1740
b) 1932
c) 2010
d) 2023
What is the main change in the latest five-year classification of the Cru Bourgeois?
a) It applies to the wine instead of the château
b) It applies to the château instead of the wine
c) It is valid for ten years instead of five
d) It is no longer based on blind tasting
What are the three tiers in the latest Cru Bourgeois classification?
a) Cru Bourgeois, Cru Classé, Cru Exceptionnel
b) Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel
c) Cru Bourgeois, Grand Cru, Premier Cru
d) Cru Bourgeois, Premier Cru, Grand Cru
What are the two additional criteria used to determine the higher tiers of the Cru Bourgeois classification?
a) The price and age of the wine
b) The technical management of the vineyard and the marketing and promotion of the property
c) The winemaker's reputation and the wine's aroma
d) The winery's location and the wine's acidity
How many châteaux are included in the latest Cru Bourgeois classification?
a) 149
b) 199
c) 249
d) 299
Which of the following châteaux is not included in the top tier of the latest classification?
a) Château d’Agassac
b) Château Cambon La Pelouse
c) Château de Malleret
d) Château Phélan Ségur
Which regions do not have a château included in the top tier of the latest Cru Bourgeois classification?
a) Haut-Médoc
b) St-Julien
c) St-Estèphe
d) Margaux
