Grand-Puy-Lacoste's listing in the 1855 classification placed it among the "elite” of Bordeaux wines.

Grand-Puy-Lacoste's reputation is of long date. In 1776, the King's Intendant in Aquitaine, Dupré de Saint-Maur, ranked "Saint Guirons & Lacoste” (its name at the time) fifth in a classification of Pauillac estates. This reputation for quality grew and became "official” with the 1855 classification created for the first Universal Exposition held in Paris that year. The classification, still recognized today, lists 61 properties with 18 in Pauillac—including three first growths which are among the most celebrated wines of Bordeaux. Pauillac boasts more classed growths than any other commune, and its 18 classified properties are some of Bordeaux's finest. At the time of the classification, Grand-Puy-Lacoste was named a "fifth growth”; today, connoisseurs and wine writers (among the better-known is Hugh Johnson) agree that it deserves a higher ranking. There's no doubt about the considerable improvement in the wine's quality due to the care and effort it has received over the years.

This vineyard has a special place in the history of the Médoc's great growths since its size and composition has not changed at all since 1855—the domain has passed from generation to generation exactly as it was 150 years ago. Grand-Puy-Lacoste's heritage is exceptionally rich in history and tradition, and the Borie family is greatly honored to be entrusted with its future.

A classification steeped in history

Although lists recording minimum and maximum prices have existed in Bordeaux since 1647, the 1855 classification is of particular importance. That year, the first Universal Exposition took place under the orders of Emperor Napoléon III, who wished to increase the scale of the French National Expositions organized every five years since 1835.

It is difficult to imagine the grand scale of this event. The Imperial Commission charged with coordinating the Exposition asked the Gironde's producers to send their wines to Paris, since Burgundy and Champagne would be presenting theirs for display. To make the Bordeaux presentation more interesting, a large-scale map of the Gironde was commissioned showing the location of the "superior” growths. The Emperor wished to create a hierarchy of France's great wines and wanted to identify the most noteworthy producers.

Published on April 18, 1855, the classification was drafted by the Union of Brokers attached to the Bordeaux Commodities Market. Based on "many years experience”, the list was based on a châteaux's long-term quality and the stability of its pricing, information that was carefully recorded by the brokers in their precious archives. This criterion of stability, stretching over several decades, eliminated any influence of vintage variation which might have falsified the results of any tasting. The 1855 classification gave pride of place to the Médoc, since all the properties listed were situated here with the exception of Château Haut-Brion, produced in the Graves.

"The 1855 classification catalogues those masterworks of winemaking whose renown and excellence span the years, resisting the effects of passing fashion and human influence. That is why for 15o years this classification has remained the unique, historic, and official reference of the world's greatest wines.” Council of Médoc Wines.

After the classification, owners of a number of classed-growths enlarged their estates by annexing the vines of neighboring Cru Bourgeois properties. The dimensions of Grand-Puy-Lacoste have remained strictly unchanged, an especially rare occurrence.

The unchanging classification of 1855 makes these classed growths unlike any other vineyards: they belong to the heritage of France and—in a larger sense—to the universal heritage of wine. This heritage is both tangible and spiritual, guiding each château owner to fulfill an overriding duty: to preserve each property's high reputation and carry it into the future.