3 years ago, Cru Bourgeois du Médoc became an annual label, awarded annually to any winemaker that met the conditions for the Cru Bourgeois label. In September 2012, the 2010 labels were announced. 260 producers received the Cru Bourgeois label for their 2010 wines, or 32 million bottles.
The Cru Bourgeois Classification of 1932
From 1932 to the end of the 1900s, the Cru Bourgeois du Medoc system was a classification system set in stone. The first Cru Bourgeois list was drawn up by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Agriculture in 1932, selecting 444 estates from the Medoc for the classification. These were wines that were not included in the 1855 Classification of Crus Classes, but still of high quality.
Cru Bourgeois du Medoc Today: A Label Awarded Annually
Today, the Cru Bourgeois du Medoc is a wine label that is awarded annually, on the basis of an assessment of both production methods and the wine. Any property in the Médoc may apply. Chateaus’ production methods are periodically inspected and their wines are submitted to an independent panel for annual tasting.
The first vintage that came under the current system, is the 2008 vintage, announced in 2010.
The Cru Bourgeois Classification of 2003 (Annulled)
In between the current annual classification system and the 1932 classification system set in stone, there was a new classification introduced in 2003 that was subject to a lot of controversy and later annulled. Of the 490 châteaux that applied to be included in the classification of 2003, only 247 were included, a significant contraction of the original listing made in 1932 (444 estates).
The 2003 Cru Bourgeois classification classified the 247 properties in three tiers: Exceptionnel (9 properties), Supérieurs (87 properties) and straight Bourgeois (151 properties).
Note that some very highly regarded wines outside the 1855 classification such as Château Gloria and Château Sociando-Mallet did not apply for classification in 2003.
In February 2007, the 2003 was annulled. At this point, the 1932 classification was briefly reinstated, with its single tier and 444 estates.
Les Exceptionnels
Six out of the former Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel decided to remain outside the new Cru Bourgeois system. Instead, they formed a group named Les Exceptionnels. Members of this group are Château Chasse Spleen, Château Les Ormes de Pez, Château de Pez, Château Potensac, Château Poujeaux and Château Siran.
Cru Bourgeois 2008
In 2010, of the 290 producers who applied for Cru Bourgeois status for their 2008 wine, 243 were successful.
Cru Bourgeois 2009
In September 2011, the 2009 classification was announced. Of 304 applicants, 246 were successful.
Cru Bourgeois 2010
In September, 2012, the 2010 classification was announced. 260 producers have received the Cru Bourgeois label, or 32 million bottles.
Regional Allocation of the Cru Bourgeois 2010
104 Crus Bourgeois en Médoc, soit près de 15 millions de bouteilles produites
Représentant 40 % des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Volume moyen des Crus Bourgeois sur cette AOC = 1045 hl
88 Crus Bourgeois en Haut-Médoc, soit près de 12 millions de bouteilles
Représentant 34 % des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Volume moyen des Crus Bourgeois sur cette AOC = 1000 hl
13 Crus Bourgeois en Listrac-Médoc, soit près de 900 000 bouteilles
Représentant 5 % des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Volume moyen des Crus Bourgeois sur cette AOC = 504 hl
18 Crus Bourgeois en Moulis, soit plus de 1,3 million de bouteilles
Représentant 7 % des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Volume moyen des Crus Bourgeois sur cette AOC = 552 hl
11 Crus Bourgeois en Margaux, soit près de 1 million de bouteilles
Représentant 4 % des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Volume moyen des Crus Bourgeois sur cette AOC = 719 hl
5 Crus Bourgeois en Pauillac, soit plus de 250 000 bouteilles
Représentant 2 % des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Volume moyen des Crus Bourgeois sur cette AOC = 376 hl
21 Crus Bourgeois en Saint-Estèphe, soit plus de 1,5 millions de bouteilles
Représentant 8 % des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Volume moyen des Crus Bourgeois sur cette AOC = 592 hl
Newcomers
The followings 15 producers are new on the list, relative to the Cru Bourgeois 2009 classification.
Château Arnauld (Haut-Médoc),
Bellevue de Tayac (Margaux)
Bernadotte (Haut-Médoc)
Tourteyron (Médoc)
du Raux (Haut-Médoc)
Gravat (Médoc)
Laborde (Haut-Médoc)
Le Vieux Fort (Médoc)
Les Granges de Civrac (Médoc)
Mareil (Médoc)
Myon de l'Enclos (Moulis)
Réal (Haut-Médoc)
Saint-Pierre de Corbian (Saint-Estèphe)
Sénéjac (Haut-Médoc)
Sigognac (Médoc).
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