The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 resulted from the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris, when Emperor Napoleon III requested a classification system for France’s best Bordeaux wines which were to be on display for visitors from around the world. The wines were ranked in importance from first to fifth growths (crus). All of the red wines that made it on the list came from the Médoc region except for one:Château Haut-Brion from Graves. The white wines, then of much less importance than red wine, were limited to the sweet varieties of Sauternes and Barsac and were ranked only from first great growth to second growth. Many of the first growths depending on the vintage have gained ratings from RP95 all the way up to Rp100, as well as WS100. A few of the best vintages from Bordeaux from the last 25 years are 1982 – 1986 – 1989 – 1990 – 1996 – 2000 – 2005
The First Growths in the 1855 Classification are from the following Château’s.
Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Latour
Château Mouton Rothschild (reclassified from Second Growth status in 1973)
Château Margaux
Château Haut-Brion
