Cognac One | Tags France

The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 was based entirely on market prices with one exception: Château Mouton Rothschild. Despite the market prices equalling that of Château Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild was excluded from 1st Growth status. But in 1973, Mouton was elevated to 1st growth after decades of intense lobbying. Baron Philippe de Rothschild launched the idea of each year’s label being designed by a famous artist. This has become a significant aspect of the Mouton image with labels created by some of the world’s greatest artists. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Mouton Rothschild

Classified as a 2nd Growth Grand Cru Classé in 1855. The name Cos refers to a “hill of pebbles” in Gascon dialect and the name Cos d’Estournel was given in 1810 by Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel, nicknamed the “Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe.” Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for two-thirds of this precious mosaic of numerous plots, with an average vine age of 55 years old. Cos wines tend to have a higher blend of Merlot than other classified Left Bank wines. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Cos d’Estournel

Classified as a 5th Growth Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Located just outside the town of Pauillac on a gravel ridge looking down over the Gironde estuary. With the arrival of Jean-Charles Cazes to head the estate in 1934, the Lynch-Bages style was sealed. An innovative winemaker, he was known for taking risks and often being the last to harvest in Pauillac. From 1945 onwards, the fame of the château emerged thanks to a series of great vintages. The Cazes family heritage continues today. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Lynch-Bages

Ranked a Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. The slopes of Chateau Pavie were first planted by the ancient Romans in the 4th century. It’s named for the orchards of peaches (“pavies”) that used to stand there. The 100 acres vineyard is planted with 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This represents a change in the vineyard with less Merlot and more Cabernet Franc. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Pavie

Ranked a Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. Cheval Blanc has a long and elaborate history that dates back to the 4th century. The most prestigious part of the estate’s history can be said to date from 1832 when Jean-Jacques Ducasse purchased the core of the present-day estate. The estate consists of 45 different plots each with a unique soil type – and thus are treated like separate vineyards. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Cheval Blanc

Ranked a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. Originates from an ancient estate that traces its roots back to the 2nd century when a Gallo-Roman villa was built on the estate and named after a Figeacus. Unlike many other Saint-Emilion vineyards, the soil contains quite a large quantity of gravel. Because of this, the estate has majority Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet France vines, unlike the typical Merlot-dominant estates of the appellation. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Figeac

Ranked a Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. The name refers to the three Angelus bells audible from the vineyards, coming from the chapel at Mazerat, the church in Saint-Émilion. The family behind Château Angelus has one of the longest histories in the appellation but the story of the estate begins in 1909 when Maurice de Bouard de La Forest inherited the vineyard owned by his ancestors. Today the winery is run by the 8th generation of the family. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Angélus

Ranked among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés B of Saint-Émilion. Owned by the Wertheimer family since 1996. Originally a small vineyard planted around the Church of St-Martin by Jean Biès in the early 18th Century, the estate was named Clos St-Martin. In 1760 Jacques Kanon purchased the land. A true clos, the original 30-acre vineyard was encircled by a wall, which Kanon expanded by acquiring seven small surrounding vineyards. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Canon

Winemaking at Léoville dates to 1638 at this 2nd Growth Grand Cru Classé estate. Château Léoville Poyferré was established in 1840 when Baron Jean-Marie de Poyferré added his name to Léoville. Since 1920, the estate has been nurtured by the Cuvelier family. Dispersed over 200 acres of Saint-Julien, the vineyards reflect all the richness and diversity of the appellation. Over 60% of the land is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, with vines averaging 40 years old.  View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Château Léoville-Poyferré

Winemaking dates to the 14th century at this beautiful estate. Classified as a 3rd Growth Grand Cru Classé in 1855. High gravel content soil – some of the best in the left bank. 60% of the vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Some old vines on the property reaching 70 years of age, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1995, the château was bought by Eric Albada Jelgersma, who owns neighboring Château du Tertre, who invested in modernization. View current inventory: Collector Wines Visit the winery website: Chateau Giscours