1959 Graves Bordeaux Wine Classifications

With the exception of Chateau Haut-Brion, the classification of 1855 did not consider any other Bordeaux wine chateaux from the Graves appellation.

This classification took place almost 100 years after the official 1855 Classification.  The Graves official Classification emulated that  of the Medoc Classification as they used  essentially the same criteria to obtain their results for their Bordeaux wine classification.

The genesis for this came from the Graves Wine Syndicate. A special committee consisting of various wine merchants and brokers was empanelled by the I.N.A.O, the Institute National des Appellations d’Origine Controller.  The members of the panel were asked to consider “The market price of the wine over a long period of time”.

On 7th August 1953, an unofficial list was created. This was finalized on 16th February 1959. This list correctly had Chateau Haut-Brion with the same classification as they earned in the Medoc, Premier Cruz Classé 1855. The other Graves chateau were entitled to  place Cru Classé » (Classed Growth) on their labels.
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These growths stretch over 500 hectares and all fall under the PESSAC-LEOGNAN APPELLATION. They represent 40 % of this area. The great Bordeaux grape varieties thrive on this unique soil, with its deep, deep layers of gravel. The reds are mainly Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot, and the whites Sauvignon and Sémillon which all produce a unique style of Bordeaux wine.