Selection of wines with the prestigious Grand Cru Classé classification

The Grand Cru Classé classification is a highly prestigious classification of Bordeaux wines, created in 1855 at the request of Napoleon III and includes the best wineries from the Médoc, Sauternes and Graves regions. The wines are divided into five categories: Premier Cru (the highest level), Deuxième Cru, Troisième Cru, Quatrième Cru and Cinquième Cru. The classification has remained almost unchanged since its inception. Inclusion in this classification signifies high quality and prestige throughout the world.

In this tasting set we bring you a selection of wines from 3 different wineries with 3 different levels of Grand Cru Classé classification.

Château Pédesclaux 2009 carries the Cinquième Cru level (5th Cru). This vintage has good body, medium length and surprisingly expressive "barrels". This wine is targeted for the long haul.

The 2006 Château Lafon Rochet has a Quatrième Cru (4th Cru) level. The wine has a medium ruby red colour. Dark fruit aromas on the nose are dominated by cedary oak. Initially the cedar flavors also dominate the black currant on the palate, but it has a nice fresh acidity that lifts it above the tannic structure and allows the fruit to open up on the mid-palate and towards the finish. The alcohol is balanced and the finish has good length.

The 2007 Château Malescot Saint-Exupéry belongs to the Troisième Cru (3rd Cru) level. Malescot has lost a bit of power in the 2007 vintage but owes nothing to the ripe fruitiness and admirable length. The metallic flavour that Malescot Saint-Exupéry acquires after long ageing is almost unique.

This tasting set consists of three 0.75 litre bottles.