While I’ve been away Its been a busy month this September in Bordeaux, as if the start of the harvest was not enough to keep winemakers on their toes, some have been holding their breath waiting for the results of two new classifications.
Just a reminder that, as if 60 appellations was not enough diversity on offer in Bordeaux, history has added a couple more layers of complexity in the form of classifications. The historic 1855 classification of Medoc, Graves and Sauternes is unlikely to change anytime soon, nor the 1959 classification of the Graves, however both the Cru Bourgeois and Saint Emilion classifications were revised this September.

The Cru Bourgeois classification is up for revision every single year now since the 2008 vintage and this month saw the announcement of the classification of the 2010 vintage. Why 2010 now? Well this is the vintage coming to market, bottled in the spring or early summer after barrel aging the wine makers will be looking to ship these wines towards the end of the year so will need that classification for the new labels. The current head count is 260 Cru Bourgeois out of 300 applications over the 8 Medoc appellations. You can now find out more about your Cru Bourgeois by scanning the flash code on the new labels, which also act of a quality guarantee, or by entering the unique number on the label  on the Cru Bourgeois web site.

Saint Emilion also saw a new classification. In theory this is an event that happens every ten years since 1956. After the fiasco of 2006 when in the spirit of compromise the classification was adapted to ensure there were no losers only winners it was completely reassessed this year with a total of 82 Classified growths of which 18 are classified as 1st growths. The classification is open to all Grand Cru wines from Saint Emilion. (Unlike Burgundy Grand Cru in Saint Emilion is not a classification but an appellation). The classification has 3 levels; Grand Cru Classé, 1er Grand Cru Classée B and 1er Grand Cru Classée A. Since its creation there have only ever been 2 ‘A’s Ausone and Cheval Blanc, this year sees for the first time 2 more properties join this exclusive club; Angelus and Pavie. In another innovation Valandraut and La Mondotte have been parachuted directly from Grand Cru up to first growth without passing through the stage Cru Classe.

View over the vines of Saint Emilion

Interestingly enough all four of these properties tend towards a more modern style of wine: powerful and fruit driven – a sign of the times?

This changes the dynamics at the very top of the Bordeaux pile. Up until now we spoke of the Club of 9 the five 1sts from 1855 (Margaux, Latour, Lafite, Mouton and Haut Brion), the 2 ‘A’s from Saint Emilion, Petrus, and Yquem. Will there now be 11? We’ll see if the ‘new boys’ are invited to join the club.

Now that’s sorted – back to picking !