Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe
When the wines of the Left Bank were classified in the original 1855 Classification of the Medoc, no one took into consideration any of the chateaux in the Right Bank. In 1955, in an effort to promote the wine of Saint Emilion to consumers, producers and negociants agreed to create a classification for their appellation.
That classification would be different from the 1855 in a myriad of ways. Most importantly, the classification of St. Emilion would classify the terroir and vineyard, and not the chateau. And to insure this remained current and up to date, producers and negociants agreed to update, review and renew the classification every 10 years.
The wines classified as Grand Cru Classe eventually banded together to help promote their various estates and created the “Association of Grand Cru Classe.” The first Saint Emilion classification took place in 1955.
This was followed by updates in 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2012. If you’re wondering how a classification that was supposed to be updated every 10 years has changes ranging from 14 years to 6 years, please read: List of current St. Emilion Classifications You can also read about the Premier Grand Cru Classe B Wines of St. Emilion
It’s important to understand there is a big difference between Grand Cru Saint Emilion wines and Grand Cru Classe St. Emilion wines. As I mentioned earlier, it is the vineyard that is classified, not just the chateau.
In St, Emilion to be a Grand Cru vineyard, your vines must be located in the area of St. Emilion that has been classified as Grand Cru. More than 200 vineyards are located in Grand Cru vineyards.
Those estates must also abide by the rule and regulations established for that designated area. To be a Grand Cru vineyard, if you are in that are, if you apply for Grand Cru status, it is automatically granted
Grand Cru Classe St, Emilion wines are supposed to be from much better vineyards, making better wine. They were classified by a committee. Vineyard owners must apply to be classified. The Grand Cru Classe St. Emilion classification remains in place for 10 years.
Of course there are Grand Cru wines that are better than many of the Grand Cru Classe wines, but that is the choice of the Grand Cru producers, as they did not wish to have their wine classified. Most of the time, the reason for that is economics.
Grand Cru Classe wines must have their own chateau and cellars for the production of only their wine. Some Grand Cru producers, for example, Jonathan Maltus who owns Chateau Le Dome and other very good wines, would have to build new, wine making facilities for each of his wines. That would be a very expensive proposition that would not allow him to earn a return on his investment.
His wines at the top end already sell for as much, or more money than many of the Premier Grand Cru Classe wines.
The results for the most recent classification of St. Emilion wines were announced September, 2012. The classification included Premier Grand Cru Classe A, Premier Grand Cru Classe B and Grand Cru Classe wines.
The criteria for Grand Cru Classe status was, the properties needed to score 14 out of 20 points on a 20 point rating system. The judging criteria was; For chateaux seeking Grand Cru Classe status, the properties first needed to provide the most 10 recent vintages of their wines for blind tastings.
The quality of wine was considered as 50% of their total score. The chateaux were also judged on their reputation in the marketplace, which accounted for 20% of their score. Terroir was also a factor, counting for 20% of the total. The estate and practices were also a part of the consideration at 10% of their score.
In the 2012 St. Emilion Classification, 63 estates were deemed worthy of Grand Cru Classe status.
The 2012 classification：
Premier Grand Cru classé A(4) – Château AUSONE,Château CHEVAL BLANC,Château ANGÉLUS (New),Château PAVIE (New),
Premier Grand Cru Classé B(14) – Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse),Château Beau-Séjour Bécot,Château Belair-Monange,Château Canon,Château Canon la Gaffelière (New),Château Figeac,Clos Fourtet,Château la Gaffelière,Château Larcis-Ducasse (New),Château la Mondotte (New),Château Pavie-Macquin,Château Troplong-Mondot,Château Trottevielle,Château Valandraud (New),
Grand cru classé(64) –Château l’Arrosée,Château Balestard-La-Tonnelle,Château Barde-Haut (New),Château Bellefont-Belcier,Château Bellevue,Château Berliquet,Château Cadet Bon,Château Cap de Mourlin,Château le Châtelet (New),Château Chauvin,Château Clos de Sarpe （New）,Château la Clotte,Château la Commanderie (New),Château Corbin,Château Côte de Baleau (New),Château la Couspaude,Château Dassault,Château Destieux,Château la Dominique,Château Faugères (New),Château Faurie de Souchard,Château de Ferrand (New),Château Fleur-Cardinale,Château la Fleur Morange （New）,Château Fombrauge (New),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,Château Jean Faure (New),Château Laniote,Château Larmande,Château Laroque,Château Laroze,Château la Marzelle,Château Monbousquet,Château Moulin du Cadet,Château Pavie-Decesse,Château Peby Faugères (New),Château Petit Faurie de Soutard,Château de Pressac (New),Château le Prieuré,Château Quinault l’Enclos (New),Château Ripeau,Château Rochebelle (New),Château Saint-Georges (Côte Pavie),Château Sansonnet （New）,Château la Serre,Château Soutard,Château Tertre Daugay,Château la Tour Figeac,Château Villemaurine,Château Yon Figeac,Clos des Jacobins,Clos la Madeleine (New),Clos de l’Oratoire,Clos Saint-Martin,Couvent des Jacobins
