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The 12th century saw the arrival of Bordeaux’s first bourgeoisie, under English reign. These people were afforded exclusive rights and privileges, notably the break on charges for the wines from their vines. In the 15th century, when the Guyenne region returns to French rule, the bourgeoisie retained the right to ‘carry a sword and own seigneurial land’. The rich traders were able to purchase truly excellent viticultural land in the Médoc, firstly called ‘Crus des Bourgeois’ then ‘Crus Bourgeois’.
The first classification for the Médoc’s crus bourgeois dates back to 1932. In 2003, a new classification was created, the intention being to revise the list every 10 years. This currently places 247 Médoc Châteaux under the title ‘crus bourgeois’ split into three categories: cru bourgeois, cru bourgeois supérieur and crus bourgeois exceptionnel. The châteaux removed the list immediately took great issue with the decision. Losing the ‘crus bourgeois’ title from their label was seen as disastrous for their notoriety.
Following several changes, the classification was cancelled in 2007. Facing the risk of losing ‘cru bourgeois’ as a status category, the châteaux organised around an alliance: L’Alliance des Crus Bourgeois. Over three years would pass before the announcement of the new classification.
From 2009, rather than a new classification, there was a certificate given each year to the châteaux. This certificate is for a precise vintage and awarded two years after the harvest. Each ‘candidate’ had to respect specific criteria, the application of which is controlled by an independent body, Veritas. Considered separately every year, this certification was no longer decided based simply on the estate, but by the quality of the wines, tasted by a committee of independent professionals. Any wine that passes this test has the right to put ‘cru bourgeois’ on its label. 243 crus were recognised in the first official year of this system.
Finally, in 2020, a new classification was brought into effect, bringing back the categories of ‘cru bourgeois’, ‘cru bourgeois supérieur’ and ‘cru bourgeois exceptionnel’. This classification is based on blind tastings of five vintages between 2008 and 2016. Other factors taken into account are environmental criteria and wine tourism, for example.
The Médoc Crus Bourgeois are economically important in Bordeaux: 249 Châteaux, 28 million bottles sold across the world. They make up 4,400 hectares, or 27.5% of the Médoc’s vines in 2020.
List of Médoc crus bourgeois and crus supérieurs (2020 classification)
