Read our Premier Cru Wines
Premier Cru is a French phrase meaning "first growth". It is the highest subcategory of cru classé (classed growth) that was established in the original fine wine classification of 1855.
First initiated by Napoleon III, the classification is still vigorously upheld today and enforced by EU directives. In the beginning, only four red-wine-producing châteaux were given this top ranking: Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux and Haut-Brion. In 1973, Château Mouton-Rothschild was also upgraded to premier cru status.
Margaux
Described by wine critics as ‘mindblowing’ and ‘immortal’ Margaux has a reputation steeped in tradition since the Middle Ages, from the carefully polished brasswork of its oak vats to the special slim wicker ‘vimes’ used to tie up the vines. The land is still worked by hand and the handpicked grapes are carefully sorted in the vat room or cuvier. The very taste of and smell of elegance.
Lafite-Rothschild
The 1855 classification ranked Lafite as the first of the first growths. One of the world’s most elegant wines, it has a long pedigree to its name. The estate dates back to 1234, and was sold off to a Dutch syndicate following the French Revolution. Estate manager Joseph Goudal introduced an innovation that was to last: the ageing of red wine in bottles designed to lie on their sides.
Mouton-Rothschild
Famous for being added to the exclusive premier cru list in 1973 following extensive lobbying by vineyard owner Philippe de Rothschild, who took over the estate in 1920 and died in 1988. It is described as a chewy, vigorous wine that ages very slowly in the bottle but is truly memorable when tasted.
Haut-Brion
The only first growth to be American-owned. Haut-Brion is kept a long time (30 months) in new oak barrels and along with Clinet in Pomerol is among the last chateaux to bottle its wine.
Latour
Young Latour is heavy and hard, but matures to become vigorous, rich, firm and tannic – a process that takes 15 years or more. Among the time-honoured practices which retain their place in the Latour vineyard is the replacement of vines by a method known as jardinage. Instead of replacing vines when they reach a set age, the Latour vineyard only replaces vines when they no longer produce any fruit.