Out of the history of wine there have arisen a number of Bordeaux wines that are the front-runners of this industry in quality, reputation and especially price.  These are often considered the blue chip equivalents and are very sort after. In fact the first classification occurred in 1855 (for the red Wines) at the Exposition Universelle de Paris and this resulted in the Bordeaux wine Official Classification of 1855.  Let us however note that Chateau Mouton Rothschild, only joined - justifiably - these illustrious circle in 1973 after much lobbying. The wines that made this list have carried the utmost prestige ever since.   Further, within the Grand Cru Classé the best wines were assigned the rank of Premier cru.  These are found literally on the left hand side of the bank of the river Gironde.  These are normally 70% and above Cabernet Sauvignon.  Although added to this list the a Mission Haut-Brion is not in fact assigned the rank of first growth, however by price and quality is considered by many as in fact of this honoured cru.

Primier Cru – Left Hand Side of the Bank:

Château Latour		Château Lafite Rothschild		Chateau Haut-Brion
Château Mouton Rothschild		Chateau Margaux		Château La Mission Haut-Brion
However, there are the Pomerols and ‘Garage Wines’ the later named thus because literally they could be made in the space of a garage that have surpassed the Premier Cru’s in Price.  These are found on the right hand side of the Gironde and are generally hedonistic containing over 60%merlot giving it incredible flavours and textures.
Right Hand side of the Bank:
Château Petrus Château Ausone Château Le Pin Château Cheval Blanc

Veblen Wines not only focus on the first growth, but also on the second growth, which often yield higher returns.  They are in general less expensive, but often yield incredible scores equal to superior than the first growth wines.  It is worth noting that the Léoville-Las-Case like the La Mission Haut-Brion is now beginning to gain the status and often the price of a first growth. Any balanced portfolio should contain 2nd growths and on occasion 3rd 4th and 5th growths.

Vintages:

These are great wines but we must look at the greatest recent vintages.  The greatest across the board for Bordeaux are the aforementioned 1982, then 1986, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005.  These years saw fabulous weather and great wine making, please also note that many sellers will not view 2003 as great, but in terms of the first growth wines it did in terms of the Robert Parker scores, in fact, outperform the glorious 2005.  But this is not to say that in other vintages great wines are made, because the different grape mixes will allow some regions in Bordeaux to massively outperform others.