The Cru Bourgeois Wines of Bordeaux: Latest Classification, Best Bottles

by Anthony Zhang

The Crus Bourgeois du Medoc classification, founded in 1932, listed down some of the best Medoc Chateaus that weren’t recognized in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux.

Over the years, the Cru Bourgeois criteria, classifications, and members have consistently evolved.

However, the exquisite yet accessible character and delicious black fruit flavors of the wines have remained the same.

Let’s discover everything about the Cru Bourgeois wines, including the classification’s history, 8 delicious Cru Bourgeois bottles, food pairings, and the brilliant vineyards.

The Cru Bourgeois Classification and How It Evolved Over the Years

The term Cru Bourgeois was established back in the Middle Ages, referring to the citizens (bourgeois) of “burgh” in Bordeaux.

In 1932, the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Agriculture drew up the first Crus Bourgeois list, creating the Cru Bourgeois classification.

The classification listed some of the châteaux from the Médoc that were not included in the 1855 Classification of Crus Classes or Classed Growths.

Here’s how the Crus Bourgeois classification has evolved over the years:

The 2003 Classification

The 2003 Cru Bourgeois classification classified 247 estates into three tiers:

9 Exceptionnel
87 Superieur
151 straight Bourgeois

The purpose of the hierarchy was to raise consumer confidence by eliminating poor-quality wines through a selection process.

In 2007, the 2003 law was annulled by the administrative court of appeals in Bordeaux, and a single-tier was brought back.

But in 2010, the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois presented a new quality-assurance “certification” which was open to all Médoc wines.

As a result, the Cru Bourgeois label was reintroduced, but with a few changes.

The 2010 Classification

The 2010 classification allowed any wine producer to keep their Cru Bourgeois status if they adhered to specific quality standards.

Additionally, this new system did away with the Cru Bourgeois Superieur and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel terms and considered all wines equal.

The 2020 Classification

The revamped 2020 classification saw a return to the 2003 classification with the reintroduction of three-tier classification:

Crus Bourgeois
Crus Bourgeois Superieur
Crus Bourgeois Exceptionnel

This new classification is open to any property authorized to produce wine in one of the eight following AOCs:

Médoc
Haut-Médoc
Listrac-Médoc
Moulis-en-Médoc
Margaux
Saint-Julien
Pauillac
Saint-Estèphe

In addition, these levels will appear on the wines’ labels for five years.

The Alliance des Cru Bourgeois also added five new pillars that every winery has to consider:

Quality of the wine (determined through blind tasting)
Environment

Additional criteria for the two higher tiers are

Traceability
Authentication
Tasting checks

Let’s look at some delicious Cru Bourgeois food pairings.

Cru Bourgeois Wines Taste And Food Pairings

The Cru Bourgeois wines are filled with black currant notes and lingering spice.

These wines pair deliciously with any meat dish, especially steak, braised dishes, roasts, and earthy dishes with mushrooms.

Looking for the best bottle to serve on a special occasion?

8 Delicious Cru Bourgeois Wines To Buy In 2021

Here are the top Cru Bourgeois wines that wine lovers should try out:

2016 Chateau Haut-Marbuzet
2015 Chateau Chasse-Spleen Moulis-En-Médoc
2015 Chateau d'Arsac Margaux
2014 Chateau Lilian Ladouys
2015 Chateau Charmail
2015 Chateau Le Crock
2016 Chateau Haut-Marbuzet
2016 Chateau Les Ormes-de-Pez

1. 2016 Chateau Haut-Marbuzet ($52)

This ruby red vintage has hints of chocolate, blackberry, and tobacco flavors with refreshing acidity. The nose gives off complex leather, oak, and black fruit aromas.

2. 2015 Chateau Chasse-Spleen Moulis-En-Médoc ($44)

A mesmerizing Cru Bourgeois, this dry red wine has aromas of black fruit, cedarwood, and forest floor. The palate has a lovely acidity with delicious plum and blackberry flavors.

3. 2015 Chateau d'Arsac Margaux ($31)

This deep red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has rich vanilla, cherry, and leather aromas. The palate has medium acidity with intense blackberry and smokey oak flavors.

4. 2014 Chateau Lilian Ladouys ($38)

This Cabernet Sauvignon blend offers intense blackberry, plum, and oak aromas, while the palate provides a lively acidity with long-lasting, delicate spice.

5. 2015 Chateau Charmail ($23)

This excellent wine opens with a bouquet of blackberries, blackcurrant, and a hint of vanilla on the nose. The palate has lovely acidity and finishes off with cedarwood and vanilla undertones.

6. 2015 Chateau Le Crock ($60)

This seductive Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux wine is packed with delicious tannin, dark fruits, and lacy vanilla and spice hints.

7. 2016 Chateau Haut-Marbuzet ($50)

This wonderfully smooth Cabernet Sauvignon offers a complex and generous nose of blackberry, pepper, and leather, while the palate has tobacco and cocoa notes.

8. 2016 Chateau Les Ormes-de-Pez ($44)

This deep purple Merlot is earthy and filled with red and black currants on the nose. The palate is refreshing and has a crunchy cranberry flavor.

Cru Bourgeois Vineyards and Appellations

The Médoc region in southwestern France houses nearly 300,000 acres of vines and 57 appellations, producing the most magnificent, classified wines.

Cru Bourgeois vineyard plots are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes.

Here’s where the Cru Bourgeois chateaux are situated in Médoc:

Six Cru Bourgeois chateaux are situated in the St. Julien appellation, including the beautiful Branaire Ducru, Ducru Beaucaillou, and du Glana.

The Pauillac appellation also houses six Cru Bourgeois estates, including Duhart Milon, La Fleur Peyrabon, and Fonbadet.

20 Cru Bourgeois classified growths are located in the Margaux appellation. Some of them are Ferriere, Giscours, and the Labegorce estate.

Château Le Boscq, Calon Segur, and Capbern Gasqueton and 32 others come from the St. Estephe appellation.

79 Cru Bourgeois classified estates, including Les Grands Chene, Malescasse, and Mauvesin Barton, are located in the Haut Medoc appellation.

Best Vintages And Aging Potential Of Cru Bourgeois Wines

Cru Bourgeois wines tend to reach maturity earlier than other Bordeaux wines. As a result, older isn’t always better when it comes to Cru Bourgeois wines.

Their aging potential is between 5–10 years after the vintage year. However, a good vintage can last you a little longer, losing its fruit at around 12 years old.

Some great Cru Bourgeois vintages to try this year are 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, and 2000.

Sip a Delicious Cru Bourgeois Wine and Build Your Wine Collection

Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Crus Bourgeois wines offer excellent value for money and deliver a classic Bordeaux taste.

But, if you’re looking for a long-term investment, you should look beyond Cru Bourgeois wine bottles.

You can invest in finer Bordeaux wines like Chateau Latour, Chateau Lafite, or even a Chateau Margaux bottle through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest.