The official Bordeaux Wine Classification of 1855 is divided into 5th Growths or crus in french. As expected, the 5th Crus are the labels that we can find at the most accessible prices, but that doesn’t necessarily imply that they are the lowest quality. In many cases, they are comparable and sometimes exceed wines of higher growths.
The 5th Growth Wines are:
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
The name of this Châteaux comes from the first owner named Jean-François de Pontet, who was the royal governor of the Médoc region. This property is currently owned by the businessman Guy Tesseron; since the Tesseron family took possession, this Châteaux began to notably improve the quality of its wines and has managed to position itself as one of Bordeaux's favorites. Consumers even assure that this wine is comparable in quality to a 2nd or 3rd Growth wine. The Tesseron family has other Châteaux, including Lafon Rochet in the appellation of St. Estephe and Pym-Rae, an estate in Napa Valley, which previously belonged to comedian Robin Williams. With special care in the vineyard, biodynamic and sustainable agriculture, and the oenological direction of Michelle Rolland, this Châteaux is a one to watch!
Château Batailley, Pauillac
Known as one of the oldest Châteaux in the entire region, Batailley dates back to the year 1400. First belonging to the Saint-Martin family and then moved into the hands of Daniel Guestier, owner of the world-famous Châteaux: Barton et Guestier, Lynch Bages, Grand Puy Lacoste, and Château Beychevelle. Currently, the Boire family owns this magnificent vineyard. They decided to divide this Châteaux into two: Batailley and Haut-Batailley (which also appears on the list).
Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac
Châteaux Haut-Batailley was the result of the division of Châteaux Batailley in 1942. Françoise Borie was the first owner of this Châteaux. The Borie family also owns Château Duhart-Milon, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou and Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste. Since 2017, this 54-acre Châteaux belongs to the Cazes family, owners of Château Lynch-Bages, this family did a spectacular job in enlarging and modernizing it. In addition to this wine classified as 5th Growth, the property has a second label called Tour d’Aspic.
Château Haut-Bages-Libéral, Pauillac
Wine runs through the blood of the owners' Claire and Gonzague. Both come from renowned wine families in Bordeaux. In addition to being the owners of Château Haut-Bages-Libéral, Claire and Ganzague also own three other Châteaux in Bordeaux. Two of these chateaux also appear in The Official Bordeaux Classification of 1855: Château Durfort-Vivens, is a 2nd Growth, and Château Ferrière is a 3rd Growth. Their final estate in Bordeaux is Château La Gurgue in Margaux. If that wasn’t enough, they also own a renowned estate in Sonoma, California called the Trinité Estate. Claire and Gonzague are giving all their love, passion, knowledge, and work to all of their Châteaux. They are also pioneers in biodynamic agriculture in Bordeaux and all their Châteaux follow these practices.
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac
The estate of Grand-Puy-Lacoste is located just 3 miles from the famed Premier Cru Classé Château Mouton Rothschild. The history of this Châteaux dates back to the 16th century, where it began as the property of the Bordelais traditionalist M.Giraud family This Château passed from generation to generation, modifying the original name until the 20th century when Jean-Eugene Borie and his son François-Xavier Borie began to lead the project, they injected modernity and quality to the vineyard and winery. "Puy'' is a word from the old Bordeaux dialect that means "small hill". And as the name implies, this Châteaux is located on a plateau with an enviable terroir that has characteristics extremely similar to 1st Growth wines. This Château has a second label called Lacoste Borie.
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac
Located on the same plateau in the Pauillac region where Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is located. This Châteaux originally belonged to the renowned aristocratic Segur family. Arnaud Ducasse bought this property in the 17th century and today it belongs to the famous French bank network called Credit Agricole. This property of more than 90 acres of vineyards mostly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, is a neighbor of none other than Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite, and Pontet-Canet. This château has a second wine called “Prélude”, which means “thing or action that precedes another and that serves as an entrance.” And as they assure, this second wine is the perfect “prelude” for the Grand Vin from Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse.
Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
The story of the Cazes family, current owners of Château Lynch-Bages, is a story of immigration and hard work. Originally from the south of France, Jean-Charles Cazes came to the Bordeaux region in search of a better life. He began his working life in this wine-growing region as a baker. After years of hard work, he took over Château Lynch-Bages. This château has belonged to the Cazes family since 1939. During World War II, Jean-Charles's son, André, was taken prisoner, causing the property to go to Insurance. Fortunately, André was able to return after the war and eventually took over the Château. André began the modernization and expansion to nearly 200 acres. In addition to owning a 5 Growth chateau, the Cazes family has a spectacular tourist complex where you can taste this and other of the best Bordeaux wines from their restaurant in their spectacular 5-star hotel.
Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac
This beautiful Château located just over 3 miles from Château Latour, has been owned by the Jean Castéja family for 100 years. The family affirms that the passing from generation to generation has given the Château an abundance of knowledge, experience, evolution, modernization, and care that comes from each of those who have had the great opportunity to direct the operation. Since 2000, Philippe Castéja has been in charge of growing, modernizing, and enhancing this special Châteaux. Philippe also launched a second wine called Les Hauts De Lynch-Moussas. This great Châteaux of more than 105 acres will captivate you like any Châteaux of the First Crus of Bordeaux.
Château Dauzac, Margaux
In the commune of Labarde, you will find a majestic and unique Château, full of dreams, motivation, history, an enviable terroir, and talented people. Dating back to1190, where the first owner, Pétrus d’Auzac inherited these lands. This Château went through numerous owners, including the Johnstons, who also owned the Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. The Johnston family first started using its iconic yellow label that is used to date. It also passed to the hands of MAIF, a French insurer, before finally ending up a family business owned by Christian Roulleau. Château Dauzac has other labels, Aurore de Dauzac, Labastide Dauzac, Haut-Médoc de Dauzac, D de Dauzac.
Château d'Armailhac, Pauillac
Just 300 meters from the 1st Growth Château Mouton Rothschild, is Château d'Armailhac. Formerly this chateau has been known as Château Mouton-d'Armailhacq, Mouton-du-Baron Philippe. A Châteaux dating back to 1680, it has survived 2 World Wars, the phylloxera crisis, different ownerships and today it is stronger and more solid than ever. In 1931, the young Baron Philippe de Rothschild acquired a part of this Châteaux. By the year 1934, he became the only owner and thus changed the name to Mouton Baron Philippe. The Baroness of Philippe decided to return the original identity to this Châteux, again renaming it to Château d’Armailhac. This elegant wine is produced on a 172-acre vineyard, with a spectacular terroir that was to be expected in the Pauillac region. The soils are composed of gravel that rests on clay and limestone.
Château du Tertre, Margaux
This Châteaux, whose wines are world-renowned and loved, is currently owned by the Dutch businessman, Eric Albada Jelgersma. As its name says, this Château is situated on a “Tertre” or hillock. Château du Tertre has a team of oenologists, agronomists, and workers highly committed to the quality of the wine, from the field to the cellar. Known as “The beautiful Tertre d’Arsac” by 19th-century writers, this Châteaux has a spectacular terroir with one of the most elevated gravel outcrops of the Médoc region. You can visit this beautiful place and immerse yourself in the traditional 16th-century culture. They also have a second wine called Les Hauts du Tertre, a wine made from younger vines but with the same style as the Château du Tertre.
Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac
Jacky, Françoise, and Manon Lorenzetti are the owners of this beautiful project driven by passion, commitment, and family unity. Jackie and Françoise come from families dedicated to tourism, winemaking, and agriculture, and they passed this passion on to their daughter Manon. The three are the active owners of the estate where they are supported by the oenological and agronomic management of Emmanuel Cruse and Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen. They have managed to position this incredible Château as one of the best in 5th Growth. Following biological and biodynamic practices, the 118-acre vineyard, mostly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, also produces a second wine called Fleur de Pédesclaux.
Château Belgrave, Haut-Médoc
Formerly known as Château Coutanceau, this 145+ acre vineyard planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot is located less than 1 mile away from 3dr Growth Château Lagrange. Located in a spectacular terroir of St. Laurent in the Haut-Médoc, composed of soils of Deep gravel with a clay subsoil, this Château has quickly become one of the elite wines of the entire Médoc. Château Belgrave has a second label called Diane de Belgrave.
Château de Camensac, Haut-Médoc
Currently owned by Enrique Fornet, this Château of more than 160 acres, is located in the commune of St. Laurent. The spectacular terroir composed of Gravel from the Tertiary Period and Gravel from the Quaternary period results in elegant, expressive, and authentic wines. Michelle Rolland is the technical winemaker, and he is producing elegant and complex wines, worthy exponents of the Haut-Médoc. Their second label is called La Closerie de Camensac, and it is a young and friendly wine, always preserving the quality that characterizes this Château.
Château Cos Labory, St.-Estèphe
Château Cos Labory is located in St-Estèphe, on top of the Cos Hill. This property originally belonged to François Labory and from 1845 it changed owners until it reached the current owners in 1930, the Weber family. George Weber passed this Château to his daughter and son-in-law, François Audoy in 1959. They started to grow this Château, buying the neighboring vineyard called Château Andron Blanquet. Château Cos Labory is producing wines worthy of the St-Estephe region, they have bet on quality and modernized both the winemaking techniques and the equipment. Currently, Cos Labory has an “Ultramodern” vat room and wine cellar. The excellence of their work is being demonstrated in all their wines. Their second wine is called Saint Estèphe de Cos Labory. Additionally, the estate has two other wine labels, Charme de Cos Labory, which is made with younger vines, and Château Andron Blanquet, which is considered as the “little brother” of Château Cos Labory.
Château Clerc-Milon, Pauillac
Blessed with Pauillac's terroir of gravel and clay-limestone soils, Château Clerc-Milon is a neighbor to some of the most recognized and adored 1st growth Châteaux, Mouton, and Lafite. Since 1970, it was purchased by the acclaimed Baron Philippe de Rothschild and is now owned by Baroness Philippine and her children. This Châteaux of more than 100 acres, is the place that gives birth to powerful, harmonious, and elegant wines. The second label is called Pastourelle de Clerc Milon, which like Château Clerc-Milon, has great elegance and powerful characteristics that will make any Bordeaux wine lover fall in love with it.
Château Croizet Bages, Pauillac
Château Croizet Bages dates back to the 18th century. In 1942, the businessman Paul Quie acquired the estate, which is currently managed by his son Jean-Michel Quie. Jean-Michel also owns the Châteaux Rauzan-Gassies in Margaux and Bel Orme Tronquoy de Lalande in Haut-Médoc. Located less than 2 miles from Château Latour, this 74-acre property planted with vines over 35-years-old is a haven for the grapes that make up the classic Bordeaux blend. The Quie family has a second wine called La Chartreuse du Croizet Bages.
Château Cantemerle, Macau (Haut-Médoc)
In 1856, Château Cantemerle was retroactively added to the famous Bordeaux Wine Classification of 1855. Originally owned by the Villeneuve family, this property today belongs to the SMA group of insurance companies. Château Cantemerle, in addition to taking special care in the vineyard and winemaking, has a special interest in nature. The property boasts an impressive park of almost 70 acres, planted with exotic varieties of trees, including a tree that is more than 500 years old. It is a botanical paradise! The vineyard covers an area of almost 230 acres planted with typical Bordeaux varieties, which are benefited by a spectacular terroir composed of silica and gravel soils. The second label is called Les Allées de Cantemerle, which is defined as the little brother of Top wine, with a charming and captivating youthfulness and freshness.
It is world news that 1st and 2nd Growth have exceptionally high prices and that many times it is unthinkable to pay those amounts of money. If you want to get a great idea of what an exceptional quality Bordeaux wine should look and taste like, consider trying each of these renowned and reputable Châteaux.
If you want to learn about 1st Growth, 2nd Growth, 3rd Growth, and 4th Growth, click over.
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