Wine's world

The new classification of Saint-Emilion wines was published on Thursday 8th September, with :

- 2 first great classified growths A, Pavie and Figeac,

- 12 first great classified growths (the same as the previous classification of 2012),

- 71 grands crus classés (they were 64 in 2012).

The least we can say is that the new classification did not create the event (unlike the death of Elizabeth II in the same day). There are several reasons for this:

- the prior announcement of the withdrawal of 7 classified growths, and not the least: Ausone, Cheval-Blanc, Angélus, La Gaffelière, La Clotte, Quinault-l'Enclos, Les Grandes Murailles,

- only one promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Figeac, already envisaged and long awaited,

- no new promotion to premier grand cru classé, as the 12 growths selected were already at this rank in 2012.

Despite everything, this classification rewards the efforts of 16 new grand cru classé wines (including Clos Saint-Julien, that we have been defending since 2010), to whom we wish to make the most of their new reputation both in France and on export markets, until the next classification (2032).

The only 1er grand cru classé in Barsac with Coutet, Climens has been the finest, fruitiest and most appealing of the Sauternes wines for 50 years.

Unfortunately, since 2017, Climens has had an unthinkable series of 5 vintages with almost no production (frosts, hail storms, mildew, from 2017 to 2021 inclusive), to the point that all of Bordeaux was worried about the future of this cult property, despite the total dedication of its owner Bérénice Lurton.

We welcome the arrival of a new majority shareholder, Mr. Jean-Hubert Moitry (Patrimonia Développement), to support Bérénice Lurton and wish them good harvests to come so that Climens finds its place at the head of the Sauternes... and in our selections.

After Ausone, Cheval Blanc and Angélus, now it's time of La Gaffelière to leave the Saint-Emilion classification.

Classified since 1955 as 1er Grand Cru classé B, the owner, Alexandre de Mallet, has decided to leave the classification after remarks about the quality of his terroir which he considers unjustified.

He also wishes to express his disagreement with the organisation of the tastings for this edition (the tasting committee would have rated his 2013 better than his 2019 and 2020!).

This decision comes a little more disruption to the classification of Saint-Emilion (expected in September 2022), create a new category: the "Out of classification", and may well be followed by others. To be continued...