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Bordeaux First Growths

The famed 1855 Classification was put into place as a ranking system to allow Bordeaux to showcase what it felt to be the best, however, Mouton Rothschild was added much later (1973). Some of the other Communes have their own internal classification systems, and therefore some wines, including Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Petrus and Yquem are often thought of as first growths. The blends in each wine are consistent with the regions; First growth regions are Pauillac, Graves, and Margaux.

Chateau Haut Brion '03 750 $650

Chateau Lafite Rothschild '00 750 $705

Chateau Latour '96 750 $455

Chateau Latour '94 750 $480

Chateau Latour '00 750 $675

Chateau Margaux '03 750 $1,900

Chateau Margaux '00 750 $2,000

Chateau Mouton Rothschild '95 750 $500

Chateau Mouton Rothschild '03 750 $520

Chateau Mouton Rothschild '00 750 $710

Bordeaux Classifieds

Right Bank

• Pomerol (Non-classified)

Pomerol is often over-looked because of its non classified status. The wines here are mostly Merlot based with about 20-30% of Cabernet Franc. The result is often rich, lush and dense yet distractingly charming wines that are among Bordeaux's finest. Chateau Hosanna, which is owned by Jean-Pierre Moueix, one of the larger firms, is relatively a small production, only about 15oo cases into the market; Vintage 2000 was rated among the best with Parker giving it a 96, and has serious longevity, making it a worthy investment. Pomerol is a commune to spend some time getting to know, or re-acquaint, it is worth it.

Chateau Hosanna '00 750 $182

Chateau Trotanoy '02 750 $110

Chateau Trotanoy '95 750 $360

Chateau Conseillante '00 750 $550

Chateau Bourgneuf '00 750 $60

Chateau Nenin '98 750 $94

Chateau Nenin '00 750 $95

Chateau Pensees de Lafleur '00 750 $205

Chateau Certan de May '00 750 $245

Chateau La Grave '02 750 $50

Chateau La Grave '03 750 $73

Chateau La Fleur Gazin '04 750 $55

Chateau De Sales '97 750 $27

• St. Emilion

Of all the St Emilion, Cheval Blanc is the most talked about, with Chateau Ausone coming in at its feet, but many of St. Emilions other classifieds are just as delicious and easier on the wallet. Simply put, St. Emilion produces rich, elegant and surprisingly meaty wines. Merlot again is the predominant grape, with Cabernet Franc, although some are almost 50/50. These wines are ready to drink earlier than most Bordeaux's. They have a wonderful minerality that comes to play in the palate, most of the soil is gravelly or limestone, and this is seen in the wine.

Le Carillon de L'Angelus '02 750 $45

Chateau Le Prieure '02 750 $47

Chateau Vignot '03 750 $39

Chateau La Commanderie '02 750 $29

Chateau Cote de Baleau '02 750 $34

Chateau de Bellevue '02 750 $33

Left Bank

• St. Estephe

St. Estephe is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with other grapes used for blending. These wines are generally ripe, solid and meaty with chewy big tannins. The soil here is heavier and can withstand more extreme weather, so in an off year in other parts of Bordeaux, one can look to St. Estephe for value. They have higher acidity and less perfume, but the flavor will fill your mouth and linger in the finish.

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez '00 750 $54

Chateau Les Ormes de Pez '02 750 $34

Chateau Calon Segur '03 750 $89

Chateau Cos D'Estournel '95 750 $170

Chateau Marbuzet '99 750 $46

Chateau Marbuzet '00 750 $55

Chateau Meyney '03 750 $41

Chateau Haut Beausejour '04 750 $39

Chateau de Pez '04 750 $62

• Margaux

Margaux is a region of class and elegance. These wines are the epitome of royalty in Clarets. The soft, yet at the same time robust wanton juice that pours from the bottle is exemplary of the essence of Prime Bordeaux. There are more second and third growths here than anywhere else in Bordeaux. Most of the second labels of the Classified Growths deliver great value. Margaux is a region to be reckoned with.

Pavillon Rouge Du Margaux '04 750 $82

Chateau Corneau '02 750 $36.69

Chateau Clairefont '04 750 $36

Chateau La Tour de Mons '03 750 $38

Chateau Cantenac Brown '03 750 $54

Chateau Brane Cantenac '96 750 $90

Chateau Brane Cantenac '00 750 $133

Chateau Prieure Lichine '03 750 $78

Chateau Malescot St Exupery '98 750 $45

Chateau Malescot St Exupery '00 750 $77.49

• Medoc

The Medoc runs North of St. Estephe all the way down to Graves and encompasses some smaller regions. These Clarets tend to be tannic in nature, but can have a wide range in flavors. Some are lighter and leaner, with soft fruit tones, while others give a gaminess and structure that will knock your socks off. One can find great values for everyday drinking wine to beautiful age worthy bottles to put in the cellar.

Chateau Larose Trintaudon '00 750 $16.69

Chateau Cantemerle Haut Medoc '03 750 $40

Chateau Cantemerle Haut Medoc '00 750 $51.39

Chateau Sociando Mallet Haut Medoc '97 750 $65.49

Chateau Coufran '98 750 $25.39

Chateau Greysac '01 750 $21.99

• Pauillac

Pauillac is renowned for having the most of the First Growths, with three of the five. It is home to big bold wines that need time in the cellar. They are not as often sought after for the "buy and bring home to drink" values. But they do have what one would call the "classic" Bordeaux flavors. Soft fruit tones, oak, tobacco and a dry finish. Even the lesser known classifieds have an elegance that make it well worth putting them on your rack.

Carruades de Lafite '00 750 $125

Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron '03 750 $200

Chateau Lynch Bages '96 750 $117

Chateau Lynch Bages '00 750 $235

Chateau Lynch Bages '03 750 $130

Chateau Pontet Canet '03 1.5 $295

Les Forts de La Tour '03 750 $200

Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste '00 750 $175

Chateau Duhart Milon Rothschild '00 750 $90

Chateau Haut Batailley '00 750 $54

• Pessac –Loegnan

Fine Bordeaux started in Pessac-Leognan with Chateau Haut Brion in the mid 1600's. It produces some of the finest red wines of Bordeaux, but is equally formidable with its whites. It is the only region where most of the classified Chateaux produce reds and whites. Pessac uses more Merlot in its blending than any other region on the left bank, the result a more lush and floral wine. Pre-1987 the region was termed "Haut Graves".

Chateau Bahans Haut Brion '02 750 $54.00

Chateau Bahans Haut Brion '01 750 $58.00

Chateau Bahans Haut Brion '99 750 $80.00

Chateau Haut Brion La Mission '97 750 $240.00

Chateau Smith Havt Lafite '03 750 $78.89

Chateau Smith Havt Lafite '96 750 $98.00

• St. Julien

St. Julien wines are typically tight and tannic when young, but as they age, they soften to round, complex yet gentle wines. Some of the biggest and best names are in St. Julien, with the three Leovilles bringing up the front. Ducru-Beaucaillou is in its own right a remarkable wine, but has to sometimes play second fiddle to the larger houses. Other Cru Bourgeois really pack a nice value into the bottle.

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou '97 750 $125

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou '00 750 $333.49

Chateau Leoville Barton '03 750 $335

Chateau Leoville Barton '03 1.5 $675

Chateau Leoville Las Cases '96 750 $281.19

Chateau Leoville Las Cases '95 750 $292.49

Chateau Leoville Poyferre '00 750 $201

Chateau Bocquenet Nuits '05 750 $65

Chateau Beychevelle '03 750 $85

Chateau St. Pierre '03 750 $55

Chateau LaGrange '96 750 $64.49

Chateau LaGrange '03 750 $72.89

Chateau Gloria '03 750 $45

Chateau Giraud Larose '97 750 $130

• Sauternes and Barsac

Some of the best and most under-rated wines are produced in this region. People are often scared of Sauternes, citing the"sweetness" as offensive. A good bottle of sauternes can range from crème caramel, to toasted nuts, candied fruit to custard. The sugar level comes from the Noble Rot or botrytis. Sauternes are hardly what one would call "value wine", the reason is that each grape is hand selected for its ripeness. Pickers will walk through and pick a grape, possibly over looking its neighbor because it is not quite there yet. These wines work very well as dessert or accompanying them. Anyone who has passed this by for fear of the sugar content should pick up a bottle and try it, doesn't hurt, and who knows, it may be the best thing you ever did.

• Barsac

Chateau de Coutet '02 750 $69

• Sauternes

Chateau LaTour Blance '02 750 $67

Chateau Guiraud '03 375 $49

Bordeaux Blanc

Whites of Bordeaux are generally a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. Some Houses also use Sauvignon Gris, which adds a certain complexity and roundness to the mouthfeel. Most Blancs have hints of gooseberry and grassy tones, with a small amount of tropical notes to the nose. They are often flowery, without being overwhelming. They have a nice balance and are equally enjoyed with or without food. Cheese is an extremely well suited pairing for these wines.

Cheateau Laville Haut Brion Blanc '01 750 $150

Chateau Smith Havt Lafite Blanc '03 750 $67.69

Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc '05 750 $54.49

Chateau Talbot Caillou Blanc '00 750 $28

Chateau Cruzeau Blanc 750 $19.49

Chateau St Florin Blanc 750 $12.89

Honorable Mentions:

Below are some of the other "First Growths" of other regions. Sauternes melt in your mouth with saucy edgy sweetness and custard tones mingled with candied fruits and toasty nutty finishes. Its most famous, Chateau D'Yquem is actually called a "First Great Growth", and the "First Growths" follow. St. Emilion has the merlot base giving plum fruits and a soft mouthfeel. St. Emilion has two famed houses, Chateau Ausone and Cheval Blanc. Pomerol, which puts out incredible wines, full and lush with softer yet structured tannins, did not make it into the 1855 classification and is still not classified to this day. The most famous Pomerol is of course Petrus, and is often lumped with the 5 first growths.

Chateau D'Yquem '89 750 $620

Chateau D'Yquem '00 375 $385

Chateau Petrus '99 750 $1,670

Chateau Petrus '00 750 $4,670

Chateau Ausone '96 750 $387

Chateau Cheval Blanc '97 750 $220

Chateau Cheval Blanc '03 750 $600

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