The Crus Classés de Graves, cradle of the Bordeaux vineyard, have perpetuated a tradition of excellence for almost a millennium... It is this culture of excellence which, in 1953, was honoured and rewarded by a jury of professionals , brought together by the National Institute of Appellations of Origin (INAO), in order to establish a classification for these exceptional wines.
There is strong evidence that from ancient times, vines had begun to colonize these terroirs, around the Gallo-Roman castrum of Burdigala (former name of Bordeaux). But few testimonies from this period have reached us.
The name of Graves appeared in texts in the form of “Las Gravas de Bordeu” in the Middle Ages, bringing together the lands surrounding the walls of Bordeaux.
It was really from the 13th century, under the English occupation, that these Graves wines increased their reputation, thanks to the place that English merchants gave them in international trade. The reputation of these Graves wines reached its peak in the 17th century.
On October 27, 1647, the Graves wine region was cited at the top in the first classification of Bordeaux wines, established by Jurade.
A century later, in a new nomenclature, drawn up for the Intendant of Guyenne, all wines classified as first or second growths come from the “Bonnes Graves” of Bordeaux. (corresponding today to the AOC Pessac-Léognan). Century after century, these Grands Crus des Graves will only reinforce their excellence among the great wines of Bordeaux.
Visionaries in many respects throughout history, the owners of Graves united and created, in 1904, the Wine Union of Graves of Bordeaux, which officially requested in 1950 the classification of Graves from the National Institute of Appellations of Bordeaux. 'Origin.
Three years later, in January 1953, the INAO promulgated the Official Classification of Graves, in red and white, and published a list of 16 Graves wines, alongside Château Haut-Brion (Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855).
The list, approved in August 1953, was subsequently slightly expanded in 1959 (without making major changes). This classification currently prevails.
CRUS CLASSÉS DE GRAVES
Chateau Bouscaut, Cadaujac - Chateau Carbonnieux, Léognan - Domaine de Chevalier, Léognan - Chateau Couhins, Villenave-d’Ornon - Chateau Couhins-Lurton, Villenave-d’Ornon - Chateau de Fieuzal, Léognan - Chateau Haut-Bailly, Léognan - Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac (également Premier Cru classé en 1855) - Chateau Latour-Martillac, Martillac - Chateau Laville-Haut-Brion, Talence - Chateau Malartic-Lagravière, Léognan - Chateau La Mission-Haut-Brion, Talence - Chateau Olivier, Léognan - Chateau Pape-Clément, Pessac - Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafite, Martillac - Chateau La Tour-Haut-Brion, Talence.