If you have ever browsed a wine shop in Kuala Lumpur, Mont Kiara, or KLCC and wondered
why certain Bordeaux bottles cost five times more than others, the answer almost always
traces back to one document drawn up 170 years ago: the 1855 Classification. Understanding it is the single most useful thing any KL wine buyer can do before spending serious money on a French red.
What Is the 1855 Classification?
In 1855, Napoleon III commissioned a ranking of Bordeaux wines for the Paris World
Exhibition. Wine brokers in Bordeaux evaluated chateaux based on their reputation and market price, producing a hierarchy of 61 red wines from the Medoc (and one from Graves) split into five tiers, or 'crus classés', from Premier Cru down to Cinquième Cru. A separate classification was created for Sauternes sweet whites.
This ranking has barely changed since. In 170 years, only one modification has been made: Mouton Rothschild was elevated from Second to First Growth in 1973. The five First Growths — Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, and Mouton Rothschild — remain the most recognised and collected wines in the world.
Why It Still Matters When Buying Wine in KL
Malaysia's fine wine market has matured considerably. Buyers in Kuala Lumpur today are
sophisticated; they compare vintages, track auction prices, and seek bottles that hold or grow in value. The 1855 Classification remains the reference point for understanding Bordeaux pricing and for navigating the secondary market.
Crucially, classified growth status acts as a price floor. A Fifth Growth Medoc will almost always command more than an unclassified wine from the same commune, even if the unclassified producer outperforms it in blind tastings. For buyers focused on resale or investment, staying within the classified hierarchy reduces risk.
At The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia, we carry several classified and near-classified Bordeaux chateaux. Chateau Lagrange (Saint-Julien, Third Growth) and Chateau du Tertre (Margaux, Fifth Growth) offer outstanding value within the classification, while Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion from Pessac-Leognan sits just outside the 1855 system but is widely regarded as one of the most exciting properties in the entire Left Bank.
The Five Growths Explained
- Premier Cru (First Growth): Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Mouton Rothschild. These are benchmark bottles for collectors worldwide. Expect to pay a minimum of RM2,000 per bottle for current releases, significantly more for aged vintages.
-
Deuxieme Cru (Second Growth): Twelve chateaux including Leoville-Las Cases,
Pichon-Longueville, and Cos d'Estournel. Consistently excellent, and often better value than First Growths at a fraction of the price. - Troisieme Cru (Third Growth): Fourteen chateaux. Chateau Lagrange, stocked at The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia, belongs here. These wines deliver genuine Medoc terroir at more accessible price points, typically RM350 to RM700 per bottle in KL.
- Quatrieme Cru (Fourth Growth): Ten chateaux, including Prieure-Lichine and Beychevelle. Frequently underrated and offering excellent quality for restaurants and private cellars alike.
- Cinquieme Cru (Fifth Growth): Eighteen chateaux. Chateau du Tertre in Margaux is our house favourite from this tier structured, fragrant, and ageable, available through The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia.
Saint-Emilion: A Different System
It is worth noting that Saint-Emilion has its own classification, established in 1955 and updated every decade. This is where chateaux like Ausone, Cheval Blanc, and Figeac are ranked. The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia holds exceptional stock across the Saint-Emilion range, from the iconic Chateau Ausone and Cheval Blanc to the more accessible Chateau Simard, Fonbel, and Haut Simard, all under the Saint-Emilion umbrella, all crafted in the Right Bank style that favours Merlot and Cabernet Franc over the Cabernet Sauvignon that dominates the Medoc.
For KL buyers who prefer wines with more roundness and approachability in their youth,
Saint-Emilion is often a more satisfying entry point than the tightly structured Medoc growths.
How to Use This Knowledge When Shopping in KL
When browsing our online shop at thevintageclub.my, use the classification as a guide rather than a gospel. Some of our most exciting bottles, like Le Puy from the organic Right Bank, or Chateau Cantemerle in Haut-Medoc, are not classified or sit at Fifth Growth level, yet consistently deliver above their tier.
The smartest KL wine buyers pair classification knowledge with vintage information (2015,
2016, 2018, and 2019 were exceptional Bordeaux years), their own palate preferences, and an honest budget. If you are spending RM300 to RM600, Third and Fourth Growths and the best unclassified producers represent extraordinary value. Above RM1,000, the Second Growths and Saint-Emilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés come into their own.
Delivery Across Kuala Lumpur
The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia offers complimentary delivery within Klang Valley for orders over RM600. Whether you are in Bangsar, TTDI, Damansara, or the city centre, your classified Bordeaux arrives chilled and secure. For orders outside the Klang Valley, contact us directly we ship across Malaysia.
Exploring the 1855 Classification is not just an academic exercise. It is the foundation for
building a smarter, more enjoyable relationship with the world's most celebrated wine region.
Browse our full Bordeaux range at thevintageclub.my to find your next great bottle