Saint Emilion Classification 1955 – 2012, Nearly 60 Years of Change – Table of Results

I thought it would be ueful to chart the changes through the Saint Emilion Classification from its very beginning in 1955 right up to date in 2012. There have been 6 Classifications: 1955, 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2012. It’s been an interesting process compiling the chart below as 2012 has been the year that has seen most changes.

Unlike previous years where some chateaux rise and fall within the ranks 2012 has seen several chateaux jump straight in from nowhere: Chateaux Valandraud and La Mondotte gained Premier Grand Cru Classé B status and Chateaux Barde Haut, Clos de Sarpe, Faugères, de Ferrand, Fombrauge, La Commanderie, La Fleur Morange, Péby Faugères, de Pressac Quinault l’Enclos and Rochebelle all gained the rank of Grand Cru Classé. None of these chateaux have been included in the Classification before so this is their very first time.

Looking back over the years you can also see that some chateaux have disappeared from the Classifications due to the fact that they have changed their name whilst others have lost their classification due to being integrated with their neighbours. Certain chateaux have acquired more estates than others. Chateau Belair-Monange has absorbed La Magdelaine (Premier Grand Cru Classé B) and Curé Bon la Madeleine (Grand Cru Classé) and Chateau Beau-Séjour-Bécot has absorbed La Carte and Trois-Moulin both being Grand Cru Classé. Sometimes this sort of expansion is driven by the need to increase the production and competitiveness of a better known estate or to improve its quality.

One intriguing result from compiling the table was plotting the fortunes of Chateau Baleau which was first classifed Grand Cru Classé in 1955 but lost its status in 1969. The chateau disappears off the radar until 2012 when it regained its under the new name of Côte de Baleau. It’s owned by the Reiffers family of Clos Saint Martin and Les Grandes Murailles. A few chateau have not managed to reclaim their classification over the years but that’s not to say that they won’t in the future.

Key:

Blue = Signifies chateau that have achieved classification for the first time or promotion.

Green = Signifies chateau that have been renamed or absorbed into other estates

Lilac = Signifies declassified chateau that have not regained their status in the past 20 – 30 years.

Orange = The 2006 Classification was fraught with controversy and those chateaux which were demoted – and then reinstated – are marked in orange in the table.

span style=”font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small; color: #3300ff;”>Angelus