White Wines Bordeaux 1855 Classification

The official white wines Bordeaux 1855 Classification

The white wine side of the Bordeaux 1855 Classification is a fascinating, often overlooked piece of wine history, while the red wine hierarchy gets most of the attention.

The 1855 Bordeaux classification for white wines is famously small — only Sauternes and Barsac sweet whites were included, while the dry whites of Pessac-Léognan and Graves were left out entirely.

The structure mirrors the red‑wine hierarchy but is more compact, reflecting the smaller number of estates producing sweet wines at the time.

The white wine Bordeaux 1855 classification remains unchanged today, and the estates continue to use these historic designations as markers of prestige and quality.

Barsac châteaux may label wines as either Barsac or Sauternes AOC.

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Superior First Growth | Premier Cru Supérieur

Château d’Yquem, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes

Château d’Yquem stands in a category of its own as Premier Cru Supérieur — a distinction granted to no other estate in the entire 1855 classification, red or white. It remains arguably the most famous dessert wine in the world.

First Growths | Premiers Crus

*Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey | Photo © GAYOT.com*

Château Climens, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Coutet and Climens, both from Barsac, are often considered rivals for the top of the Barsac appellation — wines from Barsac may legally label themselves Sauternes, though most choose to use their own appellation name proudly.

Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Bommes, AOC Sauternes

Château Coutet, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Château Guiraud, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bommes, AOC Sauternes

READ MORE: Restaurant Lalique Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bommes, France

Château Rabaud-Promis, Bommes, AOC Sauternes

The Rabaud split is a quirk worth knowing: originally a single property, Rabaud was divided in 1903 into Rabaud-Promis and Sigalas-Rabaud. Both retained their First Growth status despite the split.

Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Bommes, AOC Sauternes

Château Rieussec, Fargues-de-Langon, AOC Sauternes

Château Sigalas-Rabaud, Bommes, AOC Sauternes

Château Suduiraut, Preignac, AOC Sauternes

Château La Tour Blanche, Bommes, AOC Sauternes

Second Growths | Deuxièmes Crus

1855 classification Sauternes — *Photo © GAYOT.com*

Château d’Arche, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes

Château Broustet, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Château Caillou, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Château Doisy-Daëne, Barsac, AOC Barsac

The three Doisys — Doisy-Daëne, Doisy-Dubroca, and Doisy-Védrines — were originally one estate in Barsac before being parcelled out over the 19th century, much like the Rabaud split in the First Growths. Doisy-Daëne in particular has developed a cult following under the Dubourdieu family.

Château Doisy-Dubroca, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Château Doisy-Védrines, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Château Filhot, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes

Château Lamothe, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes

Château Lamothe Guignard, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes

Lamothe, like Rabaud and Doisy before it, was split — the two halves are now Château Lamothe (Despujols) and Château Lamothe Guignard, both retaining the Second Growth classification.

Château de Malle, Preignac, AOC Sauternes

Château de Malle is notable for its stunning 17th-century Italian-style château and formal gardens, classified as a Monument Historique.

Château de Myrat, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Château de Myrat has an unusual history — the owners uprooted all the vines in 1976 in frustration, leaving the estate unproductive for over a decade. It was replanted in 1988 and has been producing again since 1990.

Château Nairac, Barsac, AOC Barsac

Château Romer du Hayot, Fargues, AOC Sauternes

Château Suau, Capian, AOC Barsac