Haut Medoc

The 1855 classification of Bordeaux wine, separated producers into classed growths, most of which have a village appellation such as Margaux or Saint-Julien. However some are grouped together as Haut Médoc. Château La Tour-Carnet from the commune of Saint Laurent in the Haut Médoc is classed as fourth growth.

Many of the other vineyards of the Haut Médoc are classified as crus bourgeois and Jancis Robinson says they offer great value. “The best wines share the deep colour, concentration, tannins, and ageing potential of the classed growths, and are made in a very similar fashion except that the basic yield allowed is 43 hl/ha rather than the 40 hl/ha permitted for the Médoc's four important village or communal appellations(St Julian, Saint Estephe, Pauillac, Margaux) and a leap of faith and selling price is needed to justify the use of new barrels.”