What is Grand Vin de Bordeaux? (10 Best Grand Vin Bottles to Buy)

Terms like “Grand Vin de Bordeaux” on a wine label might sound intimidating at first. 

Let’s demystify this.

Grand Vin refers to a winery’s best wine which tends to be pricier and of higher quality than other wines from the same winery. So, Grand Vin de Bordeaux refers to the best wines from the Chateaux in the Bordeaux region. 

How’s it different from “Grand Cru” and “second label”? Which are the best Grand Vins you should buy?Let’s uncover the difference between Grand Vin and Grand Cru, second-growth vs. second label, and some of the best Grand Vin de Bordeaux wines to buy in 2023. We’ll also help you decode the most common Bordeaux wine label terms.

“Grand Vin” and “Grand Cru” - Are they the same?

Grand Vin is an unregulated term that any winery can use to identify their best wine offering.

On the other hand, Grand Cru is a strictly regulated term. In Bordeaux, only wines included in the 1855 Classification are granted permission to add a Grand Cru labeling on their bottles.

And what about terms like second label and second growth? 

While some people use these definitions interchangeably, they’re not the same thing.

Second Label vs. Second Growth

A second label refers to a second wine that the winery categorizes as second to their Grand Vin. They may be made from grapes that didn’t make the cut for the flagship Grand Vin.

A Second Growth wine refers to the wines classified as Deuxième Crus according to the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux. In total, there are only 14 Chateaux granted this classification, including Ducru Beaucaillou, Cos d’Estournel, and Chateau Montrose.

Now comes the best part:

10 Best Grand Vin de Bordeaux Wines You Should Try Now

Here are some of the most exceptional Grand Vin de Bordeaux wines perfect for your collection:

1. 2005 Chateau Lafleur ($2,007)2. 2000 Chateau Ausone ($1,496)3. 2016 Chateau Margaux ($808)4. 2016 Chateau Leoville-Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville' ($366)5. 2016 Chateau Haut-Bailly ($166)6. 2001 Chateau d'Yquem ($757)7. 2009 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion ($845)8. 2000 Chateau Palmer ($519)

1. 2005 Chateau Lafleur ($2,007)

This red Bordeaux wine from Chateau Lafleur is a Cabernet-Merlot blend. The wine has a fine tannin composition and a sensual palate with black cherry and spice tasting notes. 

2. 2000 Chateau Ausone ($1,496)

This great red wine from Chateau Ausone has bright acidity, medium tannin levels, and a fragrant aroma of raspberry and cedar. The flavor profile is refined with notes of plum and cherry.

3. 2016 Chateau Margaux ($808)

Here we have an exceptional Chateau Margaux wine that showcases tasting notes of cassis, truffle, and pencil shavings. The nose is smoky with a subtle dark fruit aroma.

4. 2016 Chateau Leoville-Las Cases 'Grand Vin de Leoville' ($366)

This Leoville-Las Cases wine has a brilliant elegance, bright acidity, and a fine tannin mouthfeel. The palate reveals a dominant black cherry flavor accompanied by spice and plum undertones. 

5. 2016 Chateau Haut-Bailly ($166)

Here we have an enchanting wine with lovely lavender and violet aromas that evolve into a complex flavor profile with cherry, plum, and raspberry notes. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

6. 2001 Chateau d'Yquem ($757)

This is a stunning sweet wine from the renowned Chateau d'Yquem. Its elegance, coupled with the mouthwatering flavors of peach, apricot, and caramel, makes this wine an irresistible treat.

7. 2009 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion ($845)

This beautiful wine showcases an exceptional expression of the fine Bordeaux terroir. It reveals notes of dark fruit, cedar, and smoke.

8. 2000 Chateau Palmer ($519)

The 2000 vintage of Chateau Palmer has a silky tannin mouthfeel and an elegant palate with hints of blackberry, graphite, and leather.

Now if you get overwhelmed looking at a Bordeaux wine label, here’s just what you need:

Other Bordeaux Label Definitions and How to Decode Them

Bordeaux labels may include terms indicating the wine’s terroir, wine region, vintage, blend, and classification. 

Wine region-related terms, for instance, help you better assess the character and style of the wine based on the terroir it comes from. So, a “Pomerol”, “Saint Estephe”, or a “Pauillac” on the label is an indication of great terroir and a fitting expression of it in the bottle! 

In contrast, most New World wine labels specify the grape variety instead of the appellation.

Bordeaux labels also indicate the classification. A total of 61 Chateaux have their wines classified in the five-tier Bordeaux classification system, which is specified on their label.

Here are a few more Bordeaux wine label terms you might see on the bottle and what they mean:

• Blanc: White wine
• Rouge: Red wine
• Cru: A classified wine
• Vin: Wine
• Mis en Bouteille: A wine bottled at the chateau
• Premier Cru: First Growth wine
• Premier Cru Classe A: First Growth wine from Saint Emilion
• Premier Cru Classe B: Second Growth wine from Saint Emilion
• Cru Classe: Classified vineyard
• Cru Bourgeois: A classification system below the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux
• Negociant: A wine bottled by a merchant who buys grapes from other vineyards
• Vigneron: Grape grower
• Chateau or Domaine: Winery
• Vignoble: Vineyard
• Millesime: The year of harvest

• Centenaire: Wine produced from vine plantings that are over 100 years old

• Vieilles Vignes: Old vine plantings

Grand Vin de Bordeaux: Beautiful Bordeaux Wines for Any Occasion

Grand Vin de Bordeaux wines, especially those coming from highly-coveted wineries, could be sheer delight to any wine lover! 

The best part is that you can find both affordable and super-expensive Grand Vins.

If you want to start a collection of fine Bordeaux and other prestigious wines, check out the Vinovest website - explore how to buy, store, and sell wines from all over the world in a hassle-free way.