The 2025 Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Classification: Key Changes and Insights

The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification is one of Bordeaux’s most important quality distinctions. It recognizes high-caliber wines from the Médoc that do not fall under the Grand Cru Classé system. Since its relaunch in 2020, this classification has been re-evaluated every five years, ensuring it remains a dynamic and credible benchmark for both consumers and the trade.

The 2025 classification introduces stricter selection criteria, mandatory sustainability certifications, and enhanced transparency measures, continuing the effort to elevate quality and reputation. However, the latest results also highlight a shift in producer participation, raising questions about its long-term structure.

This article outlines how the classification works, what has changed since 2020, why fewer estates are included this time and a full list of the 170 classified châteaux.

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How the Classification Works

Since 2020, the Crus Bourgeois classification has been structured into three tiers:

• Cru Bourgeois (120 estates) – estates meeting the baseline quality and production standards

• Cru Bourgeois Supérieur (36 estates) – estates demonstrating greater consistency and distinction

• Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (14 estates) – estates excelling in quality, terroir expression, and aging potential

Unlike the 1855 Grand Cru Classé ranking, the Crus Bourgeois classification is reviewed every five years, ensuring continuous quality improvement.

How Selection Works

Each château undergoes a multi-stage evaluation, including:

• Submission of five vintages (2017-2021) for blind tastings by professional panels.

• Verification of environmental sustainability certification levels.

• Evaluation of winemaking, marketing, and visitor engagement criteria (for Supérieur & Exceptionnel levels).

• Independent audits are conducted by Bureau Véritas, a third-party verification body.

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What’s Changed Since 2020?

1. A More Selective Ranking

• 2020 Classification: 249 estates

• 2025 Classification: 170 estates

At first glance, this suggests higher quality standards, but the decline in classified estates also reflects the unique structure of the system.

Unlike other wine classifications, châteaux are notified in advance of their placement. If an estate learns that it will be downgraded, it has the option to leave the classification anonymously before the results are published. This means that some attrition might not be due to estates failing to meet the criteria but rather a choice to exit rather than accept a lower ranking.

Additionally, the history of the classification prior to 2018 plays a role. The three quality tiers were eliminated from 2007-2018 in the hopes of creating a more equal sales landscape among Cru Bourgeois estates. However, estates that were designated a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel prior to 2007 developed significantly increased market prices, with some achieving values close to Grand Cru Classé wines, before the tier designations were removed from the classification in 2007. These top-tier estates enjoy continued higher prices than the other Cru Bourgeois estates, so many of them never returned to the new version of the classification, as their market position remained strong even without the label.

As a result, the reduction in numbers is likely a combination of:

• Stricter evaluation criteria, removing lower-performing estates.

• Châteaux voluntarily left after learning they would be downgraded.

• Lack of interest from historically high-performing estates, which no longer need the label for market credibility.

For those interested in more analysis on this shift, The Drinks Business has been publishing a fascinating article series about the reclassification. Part 2, titled “The Groucho Marx Problem,” explores why many top estates have chosen not to return. (Read more: The Drinks Business)

2. Stricter Environmental Standards

• 2020: Environmental responsibility was encouraged but not required.

• 2025:

• All classified estates must hold at least Level 2 environmental certification (e.g., AREA, Bee Friendly, Terra Vitis).

• Cru Bourgeois Supérieur & Exceptionnel must obtain Level 3 High Environmental Value (HEV) certification, France’s highest standard for sustainable viticulture.

3. Enhanced Transparency for Consumers

Since 2010, Crus Bourgeois wines have carried a QR code that links to detailed château profiles, including terroir, grape varieties, winemaking details, and tasting notes. The 2025 classification strengthens this traceability system, ensuring consumers have clear, verifiable information about each wine.

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The 2025 Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Classification: Full List

The 170 classified estates are spread across eight Médoc AOCs, reflecting the region’s diversity.

Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (14 Estates)

• Médoc:

• Château la Cardonne

• Château Castera

• Château Laujac

• Haut-Médoc:

• Château Malescasse

• Château de Malleret

• Château Paloumey

• Château Reysson

• Château du Taillan

• Listrac-Médoc:

• Château Reverdi

• Margaux:

• Château d’Arsac

• Château Mongravey

• Château Paveil de Luze

• Saint-Estèphe:

• Château le Crock

• Château Laffitte Carcasset

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Cru Bourgeois Supérieur (36 Estates)

• Médoc:

• Château la Branne

• Château Escot

• Château Fleur la Mothe

• Château la France Delhomme

• Château Greysac

• Château Haut-Bana

• Château Labadie

• Château Noaillac

• Château Patache d’Aux

• Château Pierre de Montignac

• Haut-Médoc:

• Château Beaumont

• Château Bel Air Gloria

• Clos la Bohème

• Château du Cartillon

• Château Cissac

• Château Dillon

• Château Lamothe Bergeron

• Château Lestage Simon

• Château Liversan

• Château Magnol

• Château Meyre

• Château du Moulin Rouge

• Château Peyrabon

• Château Peyrat-Fourthon

• Château Pontoise Cabarrus

• Château Ramage la Batisse

• Moulis-en-Médoc:

• Château Biston-Brillette

• Château Lalaudey

• Château la Mouline

• Margaux:

• Château la Fortune

• Saint-Estèphe:

• Château de Côme

• Château Tour des Termes

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Cru Bourgeois (120 Estates)

A full alphabetical list of the 120 Cru Bourgeois estates is available on the official website: www.crus-bourgeois.com.

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Why This Classification Matters

The Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification remains relevant because it:

• Ensures consistent quality through blind tastings over multiple vintages.

• Enforces environmental accountability with mandatory sustainability certifications.

• Provides consumer transparency through traceable QR-coded labels.

For wine students, professionals, and collectors, the Crus Bourgeois system is a valuable guide to high-quality, age-worthy Médoc wines at accessible price points.

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Looking Ahead: The Future of Crus Bourgeois

The next classification will take place in 2030, continuing the five-year evaluation cycle. Whether more estates return—or whether attrition continues—will be an important trend to follow.

The 2025 ranking clearly shows that the Crus Bourgeois system is evolving, embracing higher standards, sustainability, and greater transparency—but it is also facing questions about its long-term participation levels.

For now, it remains a key reference for understanding the modern Médoc wine landscape.