Sauternes Classification of Sauternes and Barsac Wines 1855

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The 1855 Official Classification of SAUTERNES – BARSAC

In Sauternes and Barsac, the sweet, white Bordeaux wines were also included in the original 1855 Sauternes Classification, but with only two classes.  To read about the history explaining how the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wine was created, along with a list of all the Classified Growths included in the classification: List of 1855 Classifications

The list to the left of the page allows you to read detailed information, histories, profiles, wine tasting notes, information on the soil, grapes, terroir and wine making of all the chateau included in the 1855 Sauternes Classification from Sauternes and Barsac.

The Sauternes and Barsac estates included in the 1855 Sauternes Classification was intended to reflect the market’s view of the relative quality between the wines in terms of the selling price and reputation of the various châteaux. Within each category of the 1855 Sauternes Classification, the châteaux were ranked in order of quality and more importantly, selling price, which was e part of the same criteria and standard used for the 1855 classification of the red Bordeaux wines. However, there was one distinct difference. While the red Bordeaux wines were classified at five different levels, in the official 1855 Sauternes Classification, Sauternes and Barsac were given only two categories, along with a special ranking reserved for Chateau d’Yquem. Since its birth, Chateau d’Yquem continues to remain in a class that is above all other Bordeaux wines. To many people, this includes the red Bordeaux wines as well!

This is a list with links to detailed profiles for all the Bordeaux wine chateaux from Sauternes and Barsac that were included in the official 1855 Sauternes Classification. This complete list offers links to chateaux profiles, histories, wine tasting notes, images and more information for all the 1855 Classified sweet, white, Bordeaux wines from all five communes of  the appellation: Sauternes, Barsac, Bommes, Preignac and Fargues.

Think about it.  For Bordeaux, it always makes for a fun and interesting discussion on which is the best of an appellation.  Even among the First Growths, people do not agree which estate makes the best wine.  But even among the wine makers and chateau owners that produce Sauternes, there is no argument. It is universally agreed that the finest wine comes from Chateau d’Yquem.  Sauternes is the world’s only important wine region where one single wine is considered without peer. By its special ranking, that was correctly noted in the official Sauternes Classification of 1855. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Clearly some of the Classified Sauternes and Barsac wines have fallen from favor. But Chateau d’Yquem remains at the top, without equal.

When looking back at the 1855 Classification, many of the chateau merit their coveted status.  There are over performers like Chateau Pontet Canet, that should a new classification ever take place,  clearly deserve an upgrade. Other estates should be demoted or even removed from classified status.  But by and large, the 1855 classification continues for the most part, to stand the test of time.  That is for the red wines of Bordeaux.  Should a reclassification of Sauternes and Barsac ever take place, things would seriously change for classified growths making sweet, white Bordeaux wine. Chateau de Fargues and Chateau Raymond Lafon would merit First Growth status and others would be demoted, or declassified.  A much larger percentage of the regions classification status would merit changes in their status. That being said, the odds of a new classification taking place to update or change the 1855 Sauternes Classification are about as likely as the appellation shifting to the production of red wine!