Is Château Haut-Brion the only Premier Cru winery not located in the Médoc region?

Bordeaux Red WineRed WineWineBordeauxWine ClassificationFirst GrowthsMédoc
Created At: 8/7/2025Updated At: 8/18/2025
Answer (1)

Is Château Haut-Brion the only First Growth not located in the Médoc?

Hey, that’s quite an interesting question! As someone who enjoys Bordeaux wines and has studied these classifications, I can tell you simply: Yes, Château Haut-Brion is indeed the only First Growth not in the Médoc region. Let me break it down step by step.

First, some background

  • Bordeaux Wine Classification: The "First Growths" refer to the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. This was a rating system commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III for the Paris Exposition, primarily ranking red wines. It classified the top estates into five tiers (First to Fifth Growths).
  • How many First Growths are there? There are five universally recognized today:
    1. Château Lafite Rothschild
    2. Château Latour
    3. Château Margaux
    4. Château Haut-Brion (the one you mentioned)
    5. Château Mouton Rothschild—promoted from Second Growth in 1973.

These estates are legendary, with equally legendary prices, but their locations differ.

Why is Haut-Brion the "only one outside the Médoc"?

  • The Médoc region: This major Left Bank subregion of Bordeaux is famed for premium red wines. Most top estates are here, especially in the Haut-Médoc subzone. Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Mouton all reside within the Médoc.
  • Haut-Brion’s location: It lies in the Graves appellation, specifically the Pessac-Léognan subregion. Close to Bordeaux city, its gravelly soil is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Historically, it was classified as a First Growth in 1855—the only Graves estate to achieve top-tier status.

So, while the other four First Growths cluster in the Médoc, Haut-Brion stands apart in Graves. This uniqueness also shapes its wine style—more elegant with smoky notes, which I personally adore.

Any exceptions or additions?

  • Strictly speaking, the 1855 Classification focused on red wines from the Médoc and Graves (and Sauternes for sweet whites). Iconic Right Bank estates like Pétrus aren’t included, so they don’t count as First Growths.
  • If discussing red wine First Growths, Haut-Brion is unequivocally the sole "non-Médoc" representative. White wines or other classifications are a different story.

If you’re new to Bordeaux wines, I’d suggest starting with Haut-Brion’s second wine for better value. Feel free to ask more—like how to choose Bordeaux wines! 🍷

Created At: 08-07 10:08:53Updated At: 08-09 23:00:14