Saint Emilion Grand Cru: Classification, 10 Best Wines (2024)

The rich, refined Saint Emilion Grand Cru wines have an unmistakable Bordeaux charm and spectacular aging potential! The wines of this Right Bank appellation are made under tighter production restrictions than other Saint Emilion bottles.

Also, the Saint Emilion classification has undergone extensive changes over the years - this might seem complex to comprehend at first.

We’ll help you demystify it all.

Here’s your complete guide to Saint Emilion Grand Cru wine - its origin story, the Saint-Émilion classification of 2012, winemaking practices, and the best Saint Emilion Grand Cru wines to invest in 2024. We even have a hassle-free way for you to add these spectacular wines to your collection.

A Quick Tour Of The Saint Emilion Wine Appellation

Saint Emilion is a fortified medieval town perched on top of the limestone hilltop above the Dordogne river in Bordeaux, France.

It is spread over 5,400 hectares, making it one of the largest wine regions of Bordeaux. The Saint Emilion appellation covers eight communes - from Castillion in the east to Libourne and Pomerol in the west. 

Saint Emilion has two world-renowned wine AOCs: Saint Émilion AOC and Saint Emilion Grand Cru. The latter has three classifications - Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Premier Grand Cru Classé B, and Grands Crus Classés.

Today, the Saint Emilion appellation is home to a few hundred chateaux - most having an official rank based on the Saint-Emilion wine classification. Let’s see how it all began.

The Dynamic History Of Saint Émilion Grand Cru Wine Classification

The history of this classification goes back to 1884 when the first winegrowers union of France was founded in Saint Emilion. The union encouraged solidarity between winemakers and promoted the region's wines.

The efforts of this association resulted in the French National Institute of Appellation (INAO) granting official recognition to the “Saint-Émilion AOC” in 1936.In 1955, the INAO released the first St Emilion Grand Cru classification. This included 12 Premier Grands Crus Classés and 63 Grands Crus Classés. Premier Grands Crus were further classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé A, and Premier Grand Cru Classé B.

Since 1955, this classification has been updated five times in 1969, 1985, 1996, 2006, and 2012 - making it more progressive and modern than the Bordeaux Classification of 1885 (of Graves and Medoc.)

Let’s look at the latest Saint-Emilion Grand Cru classification of 2012.

The 2012 Saint-Emilion Wine Classification

The 2012 Saint-Emilion classification covers 82 wine estates and ranks them in three categories. 

• Premier Grand Cru Classé A
• Premier Grand Cru Classé B 
• Grands Crus Classés

The wineries are judged based on their global reputation, a blind tasting of their previous 10-20 vintages, terroir, and winemaking practices. 

Let’s look at the chateaux that fall under these categories:

1. St- Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A

Also known as First Great Growths A, the Premiers Grands Crus Classes A is the highest classification of St-Emilion wines. Thisrank is given to 4 chateaux: 

• Chateau Angelus
• Chateau Ausone
• Château Cheval Blanc
• Château Pavie

2. St-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé B

The Premier Grand Cru Classe B (or First Great Growths B) covers 14 chateaux.

Some noteworthy Premier Grand Cru Classe B estates are 

• Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
• Château Bélair-Monange
• Château Canon
• Château Figeac
• Château La Gaffelière
• Château Larcis Ducasse
• Château Pavie-Macquin
• Château Troplong Mondot
• Château Clos fourtet
• Duffau Lagarrosse Chateau Beausejour 

3. St-Emilion Grands Crus Classés

Also known as the Great Growths of Saint Emilion, the Grands Crus Classes covers 64 chateaux.

Some prominent St-Emilion Grand Cru Classes estates are 

• Château Bellevue
• Château Fleur Cardinale
• Château Fombrauge
• Château Grand Corbin
• Château Barde-Haut
• Château Laroque
• Château Monbousquet
• Grand Corbin-Despagne
•  Château La Marzelle.

Let’s look at the exceptional terroir of this wine region.

The Saint Emilion Grand Cru Terroir 

The terroir of this right bank appellation is a mix of microclimates and soils - from the limestone plateau to sandy slopes.The Saint Emilion appellation comprises seven villages along with some parts of the commune of Libourne. The landscape can be broadly divided into three distinct areas:

• The Limestone Plateau: The limestone and calcium-rich plateau produces some of the best Bordeaux wines. The wines have rich minerality and notes of cassis with hints of new oak and dark chocolate.
• The Slopes: The hilly region in the Western Graves area of Bordeaux contains sandy soil that helps the grape ripen faster, making the wines delicate and aromatic.
• The Flats: This wine region located at the bottom of the slopes is rich in clay - creating smooth red fruit flavor wines with plenty of character.

Winemaking in the Saint Emilion Grand Cru Appellation

The St-Emilion Grand Cru vineyards are planted mainly with Merlot vines and small quantities of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. The appellation has four key vineyard and vinification restrictions:

• Vineyard yields are restricted to 8,000 kilograms per hectare.
• The vines are grown organically without the use of fertilizers and pesticides.  
• Each grape variety (except Merlot) must have an average sugar content of 189g/liter.
• During vinification, the fermentation of the wine continues until it reaches a 11.5% ABV (alcohol by volume.)
• Finally, after fermentation, the wines are stored in oak barrels for an additional 14 months before release.

All St Emilion Grand Cru wines are top-notch, but they vary in flavor due to the subtle differences in the vinification processes of different estates.

Let’s get to know some of the stunning wines produced in this wine region.

The Best Saint Emilion Grand Cru Wines in 2024

Here are some of the best wines from St Emilion to buy in 2024.

1. 2005 Château Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

The Premier Grand Cru Classe A, 2005 Chateau Ausone, is a gorgeous wine with a lovely fruit touch. 

The elegant 2005 vintage is full of dark, rich red fruit and oak aromas. On the palate, the wine has a crème de la crème richness, minerality, and depth.

Price of the 2005 Château Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $1,656

2. 2009 Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

The 2009 Chateau Cheval Blanc has a clean style with slightly dry tannin. 

This Bordeaux wine has a nose of tobacco, oak, and dark chocolate. The palate packs earthy notes of leather and smoke with a beautiful lingering finish of black fruit, cassis, and plum.

Price of the 2009 Chateau Cheval Blanc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $1,299

3. 1991 Château Valandraud, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

This Merlot red wine has a rich palate packed with tannin giving it an intense cedar nose. The dry palate has a mild acidity, oak, black fruit, cassis, and tobacco notes with a pleasant finish.

Price of the 1991 Château Valandraud, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $720

4. 2000 Château Pavie, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

This red, savory, and classic blend from Chateau Pavie is ranked as a Premier Grand Cru Classe A since 2012. The vintage also grabbed two stars from Le Guide Hachette des Vins making this great wine a top choice for wine lovers.

Price of the 2000 Chateau Pavie, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $716

5. 2009 La Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

This burgundy-hued Grand Vin from La Mondotte is a blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%). This Premier Grand Cru Classé red wine has a seductive bouquet of blackcurrant, black cherry, and vanilla. The palate is packed with tannins complimented by a long finish of earthy licorice.

Price of  2009 La Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $688

6. 2012 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

Classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classe A, the 2012 Chateau Angelus has a harmonious fruit and oak aroma. This vintage has a meaty palate with ripe plum fruit flavor and silky tannins.

Price of the 2012 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $602

7. 2009 ChâteauBellevue-Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

A gorgeous Merlot red wine, this 2009 vintage has an aromatic bouquet of blackberries, cassis, black fruit, coffee, spice, and minerals. It has slight acidity, packed tannin, and notes of licorice, truffles, and mushrooms on the palate.

Price of the 2009 Château Bellevue-Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $467

8.1985 Château Le Tertre-Roteboeuf, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

This Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend is an exceptional wine with a smokey bouquet of coffee, dark chocolate, and cloves. The palate of this vintage showcases cinnamon, earth, and polished leather notes with a firm tannin structure. 

Price of the 1985 Château Le Tertre-Roteboeuf, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $405

9. 2009 Château Figeac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France

This Premier Grand Cru Classe B is an exotic blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot and gives off ripe black fruit and spice aromas. 

This great wine was also awarded a star by Le Guide Hachette Des Vins. 

Price of the 2009 Château Figeac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $338

10. 2010 La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 

This smooth yet complex vintage is the second label from Chateau Ausone. 

The 2010 La Chapelle d’Ausone red wine has a striking palate of black cherry, cedar, and tobacco with a nice and clean finish.

Price of the 2010 La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France: $304

Why You Should Invest In Saint Emilion Grand Cru Wines

Wines from producers like Chateau Pavie, Chateau Ausone, Chateau Angelus, and Chateau Cheval Blanc are highly sought-after by wine aficionados across the world. Wines like the Chateau Pavie 2009 and Chateau Ausone 2011 also scored a perfect 100 from wine critics like Robert Parker.

Some of the best vintages from this appellation can age elegantly for 20-50 years.

The low production volumes of these grand chateaus and their stellar reputation means that these wines also see stable growth in value. A few recent examples are:

• The Premier Grand Cru Classé 2005 Chateau Ausone grew 37% to $1,840 (April 2020 to Feb 2021.)
• The 1991 Chateau Valandraud grew by 33% in a year from $538 to $715 (Jan 2020 to Jan 2021.)

While many of these wines are expensive, there are many other wines from the Saint Emilion classification that are just as enjoyable and offer good value. So, whether you choose a St Emilion Grand Cru wine for yourself, or as a gift for friends and family, you definitely won’t regret the investment!

And if you’re looking to start investing in fine wine, make sure you do it through an experienced wine investment company like Vinovest.

Invest In Saint Emilion Grand Cru Wines through Vinovest

Vinovestis a trusted wine investment company that lets you source, store and sell investment-grade wines.

You can buy the best vintages, limited edition bottles, and promising upcoming wines from different wine regions from the comfort of your home. Vinovest also helps you sell your bottle at the right time to gain maximum profits.

How Does It Work?

Get started right away by following these four simple steps:

1. Sign up with Vinovest.

2. Fill out a short questionnaire to determine your investing style.

3. Add a minimum of $1,000 to fund your account.

4. Enjoy a glass of Saint Emilion wine while you watch your wine portfolio grow! 

Benefits Of Vinovest

1. Easy Buying and Selling using AI-driven technology

Vinovest, using their AI technology, provides an easy wine trading platform where you can invest in wines from all over the world.

2. Optimal storage and safety

Vinovest stores your wine in bonded warehouses which have state-of-the-art security systems in place to protect your wines. Your Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe and every other wine will be stored in temperature-controlled warehouses that maintain the perfect light, vibration levels, and humidity.

3. Comprehensive insurance and security

You won’t have to worry about breakage, loss, or even theft, because every bottle you buy through Vinovest comes with insurance protection.

4.Best Prices

Your wine is sourced directly from wineries, global wine auctions, and wine exchanges. That means you get it at wholesale prices.

5. Deep Network

With Vinovest, you gain access to all kinds of wines, including rare and limited editions. You can also enjoy exclusive wine tasting events of renowned vineyards and winemakers.

6. Easy delivery

If you want to try out the aromatic Cabernet Franc you just bought or find a buyer for your bottle of fine wine, Vinovest’s got you covered with its hassle-free delivery. 

7. Low overall costs

Vinovest charges a 2.5% annual fee (1.9%, if portfolio value exceeds $50,000) - one of the lowest in the wine investment industry to cover buying, selling, storage, fraud detection, and wine portfolio management.You also do not have to pay any excise duty or VAT, helping you save on taxes.

Time To Add A Charming Saint Emilion Grand Cru Wine To Your Collection!

Saint Emilion Grand Cru wines work perfect as a romantic dinner drink and as a long-term investment that can yield great returns. With Vinovest, you can easily access the best vintage from the Saint Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux wines, and other fine wines from all over the world. 

Sign up with Vinovesttoday and get started with your wine portfolio.