Climate

Bordeaux’s climate is unique, heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which moderates temperatures to create a maritime climate with mild winters and warm, though sometimes unpredictable, summers. This leads to significant vintage variation, a hallmark of Bordeaux wines. The region benefits from the Gulf Stream and the warming effects of the Gironde Estuary, which divides into the Garonne on the Left Bank (home to Medoc and Margaux) and the Dordogne on the Right Bank (where St. Émilion and Pomerol are located).

A History of Terroir

Around 245 million years ago, what is now France was submerged under a shallow tropical sea. As tectonic plates shifted, the area experienced significant geological changes, leaving behind calcium-rich shells from marine life. Over time, these formed the limestone-rich soils seen in regions like the Paris Basin. During the Gallo-Roman era, this limestone was quarried for building materials, used in monuments and buildings that remained cool in summer and warm in winter. Today, this limestone provides a stable and beneficial environment for the roots of grapevines.

The Médoc region, which was swampy until the 17th century, was transformed when Dutch engineers drained the land, revealing gravel mounds and mineral-rich soils that are now highly prized for viticulture. On the Left Bank, the soil is primarily a mix of gravel with clay subsoil. This gravel absorbs and retains heat, allowing late-ripening, thick-skinned Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to mature fully. Conversely, the Right Bank, further from the Atlantic’s moderating influence, has predominantly limestone soils in St. Émilion, known for their water retention properties and balanced nutrient supply. In Pomerol, clay soils dominate, absorbing water to keep vines cool under the summer sun, which helps Merlot grapes maintain their acidity and avoid overripening.

The 1855 Classification – Defining an Asset Class

In 1855, during the reign of Napoleon III, Bordeaux’s finest wines were showcased to the world through the Exposition Universelle de Paris. At Napoleon’s request, Bordeaux brokers compiled a list of top châteaux, ostensibly based on quality. However, the ranking ultimately reflected market prices at the time, adhering to traditional criteria. This classification included only Left Bank wines (with Pessac-Léognan being an exception) and required that the estates produced at least 2,000 cases annually.

Though initially intended only for the 1855 exhibition, the classification has remained largely unchanged, recording 58 red and 21 white wine-producing properties in the Médoc, ranked from Premier Cru (First Growth) to Cinquième Cru (Fifth Growth).

The Five First Growths

The five First Growths—Haut-Brion, Margaux, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, and Lafite Rothschild—are considered the pinnacle of Bordeaux winemaking, consistently producing some of the world’s most revered wines. Originally classified as the top wines in the 1855 Classification, these estates have maintained their elite status, with their wines achieving substantial increases in value, approximately +12% CAGR over the last 30 years. Despite a necessary market correction in the past 18 months, 2021 began with a 3.5% increase in the value of these wines, reaffirming their central role in fine wine investment.

Haut-Brion

Haut-Brion is unique among the First Growths, being the only one located outside the Médoc, in the Graves region of central Bordeaux. The area, historically the heart of Bordeaux winemaking, features vineyards rich in gravel, with sandier soils contributing to the higher proportion of Merlot in Haut-Brion’s blends. This estate has been under the ownership of the Dillon family since the early 20th century, with Prince Robert of Luxembourg as the current custodian. Haut-Brion wines are characterized by a distinctive smoky spice flavor and an unmistakable aroma of truffles and fine Havana cigars.

• Vineyard: 43 hectares
• Grape Variety: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc
• Production: 10,000-12,000 cases per year
• Second Wine: Le Clarence de Haut-Brion

Château Margaux

Château Margaux is renowned for its beauty and iconic status. Situated on a gravel island, the estate’s vineyards benefit from shallow soils with limestone directly beneath, providing excellent drainage and contributing to the wine’s elegant, fragrant character. Often described as the most feminine of Bordeaux wines, Margaux is famous for its perfume of violets, rose petals, cedar, and ripe fruit.

• Vineyard: 82 hectares
• Grape Variety: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
• Production: 12,500 cases per year
• Second Wine: Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux

Latour

Château Latour, with its strategic location near the river estuary, has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. The estate, now owned by French billionaire François Pinault, is known for producing some of the most powerful and long-lived wines in Bordeaux. Latour’s wines are deeply colored, with intense flavors, firm tannins, and remarkable vitality, epitomizing the best of Left Bank Bordeaux.

• Vineyard: 82 hectares
• Grape Variety: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
• Production: 12,500 cases per year
• Second Wine: Les Forts de Latour

Mouton Rothschild

Mouton Rothschild, located on a prominent gravel plateau in Pauillac, benefits from soils rich in iron, adding extra minerality and richness to the wine. Under the leadership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild achieved First Growth status in 1973, the only château ever to be promoted to this rank. The estate is also known for commissioning famous artists to design its labels each year, making each bottle a unique work of art. Mouton Rothschild wines are known for their exotic, powerful aromas, with a pronounced minerality and red fruit tones.

• Vineyard: 80 hectares
• Grape Variety: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
• Production: 18,000 cases per year
• Second Wine: Le Petit Mouton Rothschild

Lafite Rothschild

Lafite Rothschild, the largest of the First Growths, commands the highest prices among its peers. Situated at the northern tip of Pauillac, Lafite’s wines are often described as the most elegant and feminine of the First Growths, contrasting with the powerful Latour and the exotic Mouton Rothschild. Lafite has a long history of excellence, with records of winemaking on the estate dating back to the 14th century. Today, it remains a favorite among connoisseurs, particularly in Asia.

• Vineyard: 100 hectares
• Grape Variety: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
• Production: 25,000 cases per year
• Second Wine: Carruades de Lafite