Second Growth
Definition - What does Second Growth mean?
Second growth(s), officially named, Duexiemes Crus, is a classification of Bordeaux wines which resulted under the request of Napoleon III, and thus, created the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. This classification created five rankings from first to fifth growths according to important Bordeaux wines based on the estate's reputation and the price of their wines. Therefore, second growth wines were those which ranked second in importance.
WineFrog explains Second Growth
In 1855, the Bordeaux classification was created by wine brokers of France, ranking wines in the region from first to fifth growths, based on an estate's (Chateau's) reputation and the wines' prices. The wines which fell under the "growths" category were all those from the region of Medoc, with one exception of Chateau Haut-Brion from the region of Graves. In all, 61 Chateaux from Bordeaux were put on the list.
The list has not changed much since 1855, but there have been a couple additions and changing in ranks, such as Chateau Mouton Rothschild that was elevated in status from second growth (Duexiemes Crus) to first growth (Premiers Crus).
The following is the list of estates which made the second growth list:
- Chateau Rauzan-Selga, Margaux
- Chateau Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux
- Chateau Leovill-Las Cases, St. Julien
- Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St. Julien
- Chateau Leoville Barton, St. Julien
- Chateau Durfort-Vivens, Margaux
- Chateau Gruaud-Larose, St. Julien
- Chateau Lascombes, Margaux
- Chateau Brane-Cantenac, Cantenac-Margaux
- Chateau Pichon Longeuville Baron, Pauillac
- Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac
- Chateteau Ducru-Beaucaillou, St. Julien
- Chateau Cos d'Estornel, St. Estephe
- Chateau Montrose, St. Estephe
