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About the 1955 Classification of Saint Emilion

The Saint-Emilion Wine Classification is unique in the world. Introduced in 1955 under the auspices of Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO), it is the only classification that is revised every ten years. It therefore encourages every estate, candidate or already promoted, continuously to strive for excellence, vintage after vintage. 

The Official 1955 Classification List for wines of Saint Emilion

The St. Emilion classifications are based on soil, terroir, a tasting of the wine, the wine-making facilities, efforts at promotion, and the reputation of the vineyard. 

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The 7-member Classification Commission has finalised the list of crus classés in the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC for the next 10 years. The list adopted by the National Committee will then be submitted for approval by the French Ministries of Agriculture and Consumption.

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The new classification distinguishes 85 properties: 

- 2 Premiers Grands Crus Classés A,
- 12 Premiers Grands Crus Classés,
- 71 Grands Crus Classés.

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Excluded:

Château Angélus, Château Ausone, Château Cheval Blanc (All formerly Permiers Grand Crs Classés A.

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This classification rewards the labours of the women and men, who have worked for decades to maintain their wine’s classification or raise it.  To assess the regularity and exceptional quality of the wines, the Classification Commission was supported by work done by the testing organisation Bureau Veritas Certification France: 1,343 samples were tasted by a panel of 43 expert tasters, who worked for 4 months. 

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While it assigns significant importance to the wines and tasting them, the classification also takes into account their reputation, the renown of their terroirs and the exemplary way in which the vineyards are run. Thousands of details, some of them tiny, are taken into account, which together contribute to the excellence of each wine. 

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The classification has been loyal to its principles and fundamentally stable since 1955, and thus offers wine drinkers all over the world a guarantee of lasting exceptional quality. 

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The Saint-Emilion Wine Council hereby sincerely thanks INAO for its unflagging involvement in building this classification. 

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“We would like to congratulate all the properties that feature in this new classification of SaintEmilion wines and the people, who work on them, because this is truly an outstanding human adventure that relies on teamwork. Without a terroir and committed women and men, there can be no great wine. There is no doubt that this new classification will continue to lend prominence to the name of Saint-Emilion abroad.” Jean-François Galhaud, President of the Saint-Emilion Wine Council.

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It is worth noting the changes to the top ranked wines here, Cheval Blanc, Ausone, and Angelus declined to participate in the 2022 classification. Figeac was promoted to Premiers Grand Crus Classés A and others also declined to participate.

Premiers Grand Crus Classés A

Chateau Figeac (A)
Chateau Pavie (A)

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Premiers Grand Crus Classés B

Château Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse
Château Beau-Sejour Becot
Château Belair-Monange
Château Canon
Clos Fourtet
Château Canon La Gaffeliere
Château Larcis Ducasse
La Mondotte
Château Pavie Macquin
Château Troplong Mondot
Château Trotte Vieille
Valandraud

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Grand Crus Classés:

Badette
Balestard La Tonnelle
Barde Haut
Bellefont-Belcier
Bellevue
Berliquet
Boutisse
Cadet Bon
Cap de Mourlin
Le Chatelet
Chauvin
Clos Badon
Clos de Sarpe
Clos des Jacobins
Clos Dubreuil
Clos de l’Oratoire
Clos St. Martin
Clos Saint Julien
Croix de Labrie
La Commanderie
Corbin
Corbin-Michotte
Cote de Baleau
Couvent des Jacobins
La Confession
La Couspaude
La Croizille
Dassault
Destieux
La Dominique
Faugeres
de Ferrand
Fleur Cardinale
La-Fleur-Morange
Fombrauge
Fonplegade
Fonroque
Franc Mayne
Grand-Corbin
Grand-Corbin-Despagne
Grand Mayne
Guadet
Haut Sarpe
Jean Faure
Laniote
Larmande
Laroque
Laroze
La Marzelle
Lassegue
Mangot
Monbousquet
Montlabert
Moulin Du Cadet
Montlisse
Peby Faugeres
Petit Faurie Soutard
de Pressac
Le Prieure
Ripeau
Rochebelle
Rol Valentin
Saint Georges-Cote Pavie
Sansonnet
La Serre
Soutard
Tour Baladoz
Tour Saint Christophe
La Tour Figeac
Villemaurine
Yon-Figeac

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