Premier Cru Classe (1855 classification)Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc80 haFounded 1572Mentzelopoulos familyWinemaker Philippe BascaulesMargaux AOC
Premier Cru Classe Bordeaux at Margaux AOC, estate founded 1572, now owned by the Mentzelopoulos family. Cabernet-dominant blends with 18 to 24 months in new oak barrel ageing.
Tasting: By appointment only, Monday to Friday; closed weekends, August, public holidays and harvest. Tasting for professionals only.
Signature wines: chateau-margaux-grand-vin, pavillon-rouge-du-chateau-margaux, pavillon-blanc-du-chateau-margaux
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2016), Wine Advocate 100 (2015)
Premier Cru Classe (1855 classification)Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot112 haFounded 1234Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite); Saskia de Rothschild, chairWinemaker Eric KohlerECOCERTPauillac AOC
First-growth Pauillac estate with 112 hectares of Cabernet-dominant vines. Owned by the Rothschild family; fully organic since 2024 with Saskia de Rothschild at the helm.
Tasting: Currently closed for renovations until 2026. Alternative visits at Chateau Duhart-Milon.
Signature wines: lafite-rothschild, carruades-de-lafite
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2003), Wine Spectator 100 (1996)
Premier Cru Classe (1855 classification)Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot78 haFounded 1331Groupe Artemis (Francois Pinault)Winemaker Helene GeninPauillac AOC
First-growth Pauillac estate with 78 hectares at the southeastern tip of Pauillac commune. Owned by Groupe Artemis since 1993; withdrew from en primeur system in 2012.
Tasting: By appointment only for professionals; visiting restricted.
Signature wines: latour-grand-vin, les-forts-de-latour, pauillac-de-latour
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2010), Wine Advocate 100 (2003)
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)
