The 1855 ranking, Liv-Ex 2015 version
Every two years, the London-based exchange platform Liv-Ex specializing in fine wine trading, produces its review of famous 1855 classificationWe present below the new values obtained and our comments on the developments and key events.
A quick reminder: the classification criteria established in 1855
When the ranking was established, the brokers tasked by Napoleon III with preparing the mission of national interest retained 3 criteria: the price AVERAGE wines (in cases of twelve bottles) supposedly attesting to the quality, the look of château And its fame.
The 60 Castles on the Left Bank of the Garonne
This ranking only concerned Left Bank wines : Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Saint Estèphe and Haut Médoc, plus the Château Haut-Brion.
Although it is sometimes criticized, it remains one of the most reliable references to evaluate wines because its main purpose is to remain unchangedOne exception: the Château Mouton-Rothschild has, to this day, succeeded in changing the game when in 1964 it joined this very exclusive circle of 1er Grands Crus Classés alongside Latour, Lafite-Rothschild, Margaux And Haut-Brion.
The criteria highlighted by Liv-Ex
To compile its biennial ranking – the last one having taken place in 2013 – Liv-Ex takes into account the arithmetic mean of the latest prices observed over the last 5 vintagesThe wines are then ranked according to their price. Depending on their order in the ranking, they become first. Grand Cru, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Grand Cru Classé (highlighted by the color of the painting).
The Liv-Ex 2015 rankings
Click on the preview below to read the table of the new rankings.
The changes that occurred between 2013 and 2015
Unsurprisingly, all the wines from the 1855 classification in 1st and 2nd Grands Crus Classés retain their rank in the revised Liv-Ex 2015 classification.
The consecration of Pessac-Léognan
On the other hand, Pessac-Léognan wines confirm their strong entry including the Châteaux Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pope Clement And Haut-Bailly which consolidate their position as " 2nd Grand Cru Classé » alongside the great Pauillac (Lynch Bages, Pichon, Countess of Lalande, Pichon Baron, Pontet-Canet), of Margaux (Palmer), of the Saint-Julien (Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Poyferré and Ducru Beaucaillou) and the great Saint Estèphe (Cos d'Estournel and Montrose).
New 3rd Growth Classified Wines
Among wines that gain a rank to reach the "3rd" level Grand Cru Classé ", let us point out the Castles Gruaud Larose, Malescot-Saint Exupéry, Grand Puy Lacoste and Domaine of Chevalier.
Castles to watch out for
Finally, at the very bottom of the rankings, some rising values will need to be closely monitored: Château Gloria and Château Phélan-Ségur.
Average prices are falling: why?
The table shows average prices falling, which is explained by the fact that the 2013 ranking took into account the prices of the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages, while the 2015 ranking takes into account the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 vintages.
We advise you to carefully analyze the "Change in %"which allows us to observe resilience and capacity of a brand to maintain or favorably increase its price.
We invite you to visit our shop to find the main wines mentioned in our article:
Pessac-Léognan wines available in our shop:
The new 3rd Growth Classified wines in our shop:
The wines of Malescot Saint-Exupéry
The wines of Grand Puy Lacoste
The wines of Domaine of Chevalier