After reading so many tasting notes that practically deify Ch. Petrus, I am very curious as to why it is not a classified growth. I know that Pomerol wasn't included in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855, but Petrus seems to qualify for such classification in several ways. In fact, I commonly see the phrase "the quality equivalent of a first growth" attached to most evaluations. If this statement is true, then why not just make it a first growth? Can anyone offer any insight?

quote:

Originally posted by Parallele XLV:
I know that Pomerol wasn't included in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855

You answered your own question. They have never updated (well, they did once) the orignial 1855 First Growths Classification. If they did, I'm sure Petrus would be a sure bet.

Gotcha. I figured that might be it. But given how many new vineyards are popping up every year, I thought they might have updated the original classification from time to time.

1855 was a Médoc thing.
With the exception of Haut-Brion.

Other appellations have a classification (like Graves and St-Emilion).
Not so Pomerol.
Not so long ago Pomerol was looked at as a second rate region.
Farm land.

Nothing resembling a château there.
And then all of a sudden they start making some of the best wines in the world. Selling worldwide without any need for a classement anymore.