Premier Cru Classe (1855 classification; elevated from 2nd growth in 1973)Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot83 haFounded 1853Rothschild family (Camille, Philippe, and Julien Sereys de Rothschild)Winemaker Jean-Emmanuel DanjoyPauillac AOC
Pauillac first-growth elevated from second in 1973, famous for its artist-label series. 83 hectares planted 81% Cabernet Sauvignon; Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy is technical director since 2020.
Tasting: Visits by appointment; museum of wine in art open to visitors.
Signature wines: mouton-rothschild, le-petit-mouton, aile-dargent
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (1982), Wine Advocate 98 (2016)
Premier Cru Classe (1855 classification); Cru Classe de GravesCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc51 haFounded 1521Domaine Clarence DillonWinemaker Jean-Philippe DelmasPessac-Léognan AOC
The only non-Medoc first-growth in the 1855 classification, estate since 1521 in Pessac. Merlot-driven blends from iron-rich gravelly soils; Domaine Clarence Dillon owner.
Tasting: Visits by appointment only for professionals.
Signature wines: chateau-haut-brion-rouge, haut-brion-blanc, le-clarence-de-haut-brion
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2009), Wine Advocate 100 (1989)
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (withdrew from Premier Grand Cru Classe A classification as of 2022)Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon39 haFounded 1832Bernard Arnault (LVMH) and Albert Frère familyWinemaker Pierre Lurton (estate manager)Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC
Iconic Saint-Emilion estate on 39 hectares with an unusual 52% Cabernet Franc dominant blend. Withdrew from the Saint-Emilion classification in 2022; co-owned by LVMH.
Tasting: Visits by appointment; contact through official site.
Signature wines: chateau-cheval-blanc, le-petit-cheval, le-petit-cheval-blanc
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (1990), Wine Spectator 100 (1947)
Pomerol AOC (unclassified; Pomerol has no official classification)Merlot11.4 haFounded 1878Jean-Francois Moueix and familyWinemaker Olivier BerrouetPomerol AOC
The world's most prestigious Pomerol, just 11.4 hectares of 100% Merlot on blue clay. Production of 30,000 bottles per year; Olivier Berrouet winemaker since 2008.
Tasting: Not open to the public. No visits or tastings accepted.
Signature wines: petrus-pomerol
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Wine Advocate 100 (1998)
Pomerol AOCMerlot2.7 haFounded 1979Jacques Thienpont and familyWinemaker Diana Garcia BerrouetPomerol AOC
Ultra-micro Pomerol estate of just 2.7 hectares producing 400 to 600 cases of 100% Merlot per year. One of the most expensive wines in Bordeaux; first vintage 1979.
Tasting: Not open to the public.
Signature wines: le-pin-pomerol
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Decanter 100 (1982)
Pomerol AOCMerlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon14 haFounded 1924Thienpont family (Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont)Winemaker Guillaume ThienpontPomerol AOC
Pomerol's counterpart to Petrus, owned by the Thienpont family since 1924. 14-hectare contiguous plot planted 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc; 100th anniversary celebrated in 2024.
Tasting: Visits by appointment.
Signature wines: vieux-chateau-certan, gravette-de-certan
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2015), Vinous 98 (2018)