In July, MICHELIN revealed its inaugural rankings of Burgundy wine estates. The fine gastronomy guide said the selection of wine aimed to highlight not just the celebrated Burgundy wineries, but also the dedication, expert craftsmanship, and identity that characterize outstanding estates.

Last month, the MICHELIN Grape Selection (as it is named) turned its attention to another legendary French wine region: Bordeaux. Unveiled at the famous Cité du Vin wine museum in Bordeaux, the guide highlights a new way of experiencing one of the world's most celebrated wine regions – focusing not only on individual wines, but on the estates, people, vineyards, and philosophies behind them.

The first Bordeaux wine estates selection encompasses many of the region's most legendary appellations, from the Médoc's Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux to Pessac-Léognan, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, and Barsac. The guide recognizes a total of 83 estates. Nine have received the top ranking with Three MICHELIN Grapes, 16 with Two, 37 with One, and 21 in the overall Main Selection.

Yet the choice also mirrors an evolving Bordeaux. In parallel with maintaining a focus on its historic reputation, the region is embracing precision viticulture and vinification to support intricate terroir expression. The introduction of cover crops, adaptive canopy management, and individual plot cultivation is increasing, and organic and biodynamic farming is expanding across the region. Gentler practices in the cellar are on the rise as wines with greater freshness, purity, and estate identity become a new Bordeaux hallmark.

Unlike traditional wine critics' scores, which focus on an individual fine wine from a particular vintage, the MICHELIN Grape Selection spotlights an estate as a whole.

The distinction is intended to highlight qualities such as consistency, craftsmanship, terroir expression and producer identity. For Bordeaux, the ranking acts as a guide to estates that MICHELIN considers particularly significant within the region.

The classifications are divided into four levels:

Three MICHELIN Grapes

The highest distinction is reserved for exceptional estates singled out for consistency and unique character. Nine Bordeaux châteaux received Three MICHELIN Grapes.

Two MICHELIN Grapes

Sixteen estates received Two Grapes, showcasing producers recognized for their quality, identity and contribution to Bordeaux's contemporary wine landscape.

One MICHELIN Grape

Thirty-seven estates received One Grape, putting the depth of quality beyond Bordeaux's most renowned names in the spotlight. Saint-Émilion in particular shines, alongside important estates throughout the Médoc, Pomerol, Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes.

Main Selection

An additional 21 châteaux feature in the Main Selection, illustrating the breadth and diversity of winemaking across Bordeaux wine regions

The nine Three-Grape estates are found across the Left Bank, Right Bank and Sauternais, offering a particularly interesting blueprint for Bordeaux's diversity.

Médoc

Three Left Bank estates were awarded the highest ranking: Château Léoville Las Cases (Saint Julien), Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac), and Château Montrose (Saint-Estèphe).

At Léoville Las Cases, the acclaimed 50-hectare Clos, enclosed by walls on deep gravel soils adjacent to the Gironde River, is central to the identity of the estate. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, while cover crops and biodynamic practices enhance traditional vineyard management. Rigorous grape selection, extended macerations, and barrel aging shape wines defined by layered Cabernet fruit, depth, and remarkable longevity.

At Château Lafite Rothschild, deep gravel soils (with clay presence) and a predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard are the foundation for one of Médoc's classic expressions. The 110-hectare estate began transitioning to organic farming in 2021, with some parcels already farmed using biodynamic practices. The winemaking philosophy remains traditional, favoring precision, length and aging capacity over power.

Garnering a Second Grand Cru Classé under the 1855 Classification, Château Montrose is distinguished by the unique, temperate micro-climate generated from its commanding position overlooking the Gironde and for wines admired for power and aging potential. The estate increasingly focuses on teasing out intricate terroir expression from its finest historic plots while continuing to adapt to climate change.

Pomerol

The three Pomerol estates awarded Three Grapes are Petrus, Château La Conseillante, and Château Lafleur.

Petrus, with just under 11 hectares on the Pomerol plateau, is predominantly planted to the appellation’s signature grape, Merlot, and influenced by its distinct blue clay soils. The estate's approach in the cellar is somewhat hands-off, allowing the terroir to take centre stage. The wines represent some of the finest expressions of Merlot and demonstrate exceptional cellaring potential.

At neighboring Château La Conseillante, Marielle Cazaux has overseen a significant stylistic evolution since taking the helm. With 12 hectares on gravel-clay soils, meticulous viticulture is paired with a "less is more" approach in the cellar. The resulting wines emphasize violet notes, fruit purity, a silky mouth, and fluidity rather than overt power.

Château Lafleur offers another distinctive interpretation of Pomerol, cultivating old Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines on gravel, clay, and iron-rich soils and blending them to craft wines that are characterized by balance, precision, and individuality. Under the Guinaudeau family, the estate recently left the Pomerol appellation system to become a Vin de France to have more production freedom in the face of climate change.

Saint-Émilion

Two Saint-Émilion estates received Three Grapes: Château Cheval Blanc and Château-Figeac.

Cheval Blanc's parcels are nourished by gravel, clay, and sandy soils, with Cabernet Franc dominating in vineyards featuring hedgerows and fruit trees to support biodiversity. Found on the border of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, the wines combine the structure of the former and the opulence of the latter in wines that are powerful yet graceful.

At Château-Figeac, gravel soils and an unusually high proportion of Cabernet varieties distinguish the estate. Elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2022, an evolving meticulous approach in both vineyard and cellar have refined the precision and purity of the wines while never straying far from heritage and tradition.

Sauternais

Completing the Three-Grape selection is the legendary Château d'Yquem, Bordeaux's benchmark for sweet wine.

The Premier Cru Supérieur estate has built its name on continuity, rigorous grape selection, and an exceptional 112-hectare gravel and clay terroir overlooking the confluence of the Ciron and Garonne Rivers. Organic and biodynamic principles are increasingly incorporated into its viticulture, while aged wines develop characteristic complex layers of lush saffron, honey, and dried-fruit aromas alongside remarkably precise freshness.

The Two-Grape category illustrates how broadly MICHELIN has interpreted excellence in Bordeaux wine.

In Pauillac, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Pichon Comtesse, Château Pichon Baron and Château Pontet-Canet feature prominently. Fifth Grand Cru Classé estate Pontet-Canet's transformation through biodynamic practices is particularly noteworthy, with recent vintages described as displaying natural depth, elegance, and aromatic precision. Pichon Baron, enjoying Second Grand Cru Classé under the 1855 Classification, meanwhile, has purposefully lowered production, concentrating on its finest vineyards and crafting wines designed to reward patience.

Margaux is represented by Château Margaux (Premier Grand Cru Classé) and Château Palmer. Palmer's commitment to biodynamic farming and agroforestry mirrors the increasingly holistic philosophy being adopted by some Bordeaux estates, with its wines retaining signature richness while gaining freshness and finesse.

On the Right Bank, Château Troplong Mondot, Château Canon, Château Ausone, and Château Angélus make up the Saint-Émilion selection, while Vieux Château Certan showcases Pomerol. Pessac-Léognan contributes Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, and Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion.

The selection also includes Château de Fargues in Sauternes, whose wines are only released in the right conditions and are built for concentration, acidity, and cellar-worthiness.

What stands out in this section is the diversity of Bordeaux vineyards. The 37 One-Grape estates extend well beyond Bordeaux's most celebrated names. Saint-Émilion is, notably, strongly represented with ten estates, including Château Canon La Gaffelière and La Mondotte, while Pomerol includes producers like Château L'Évangile, Château Trotanoy, and Château Le Pin.

The Médoc contributes names including Château Léoville Barton, Château Branaire-Ducru, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Clerc Milon, Château Rauzan-Ségla, Château Giscours, Château Cos d'Estournel, and Château Calon Ségur. Pessac-Léognan features Château Haut-Bailly and Château Smith Haut Lafitte, while Sauternes and Barsac are represented by estates including Château Rieussec, Château Suduiraut, and Château Coutet.

Strong regional identity and winemaking evolution make up the cornerstone of the Bordeaux selection

The estates highlighted by MICHELIN show an increasingly sensitive approach to vineyard management: organic and biodynamic farming, biodiversity, cover crops, adaptive canopy management, and more plot-by-plot viticulture. In the cellar, there is equal nuance with gentler extraction, reduced new oak influence, and a greater emphasis on freshness appearing alongside Bordeaux's trademark strengths of structure and longevity.

This in no way constitutes a rejection of Bordeaux's rich wine heritage. Instead, the selection hints at a region refining its understanding of how traditional varieties, historic terroirs, and modern vineyard knowledge can work in tandem.

MICHELIN's inaugural Bordeaux guide offers another perspective from which to explore one of the world's most fascinating and complex wine regions. Instead of concentrating exclusively on famous bottles or individual vintages, the Grape Selection focuses on the estates themselves: their vineyards, teams, philosophies, innovation, and evolution.

The guide has raised some questions in the wine trade. For example, First-growth Château Latour was among the highest-profile estates not featured. A Michelin spokesperson said this was a reflection of the process, rather than assessment, saying the evaluation procedure of all estates had not been completed by the time MICHELIN drew up its inaugural list of producers. The guide says it will revisit its selection annually.

For wine lovers, this makes the selection particularly interesting. The most engaging stories are not always solely about prestige, but about how historic châteaux are adapting to changing conditions while maintaining a recognizable, unique Bordeaux identity.

The MICHELIN Grapes Bordeaux selection provides another starting point for exploring the region – from its legendary First Growths and Right Bank legends to estates whose changing philosophies may define the next chapter of Bordeaux.

How many Bordeaux estates received Three MICHELIN Grapes?
Nine estates received the highest distinction in the inaugural Bordeaux selection.

How many Bordeaux estates are included in the 2026 MICHELIN Grape Selection?
The selection comprises 83 estates: nine Three-Grape estates, 16 Two-Grape estates, 37 One-Grape estates and 21 estates in the Main Selection.

Which regions are covered in Michelin, Bordeaux?
The selection spans major Left Bank appellations including Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux and Pessac-Léognan, as well as Saint-Émilion and Pomerol on the Right Bank, and Sauternes and Barsac.

What makes MICHELIN Grapes different from traditional wine scoring?
The selection assesses the estate rather than focusing solely on an individual wine or vintage, placing greater emphasis on consistency, vineyard practices, estate identity and overall craftsmanship.

How often will the guide be revised?

MICHELIN says the guide will undergo annual revision.

Where else is MICHELIN Grape Selection?

Burgundy, and the company plans to expand across the rest of France and the globe.

Want to read more? Take a look at some of our other blogs:

• • The 2026 MICHELIN Grapes Guide
  • July 4th: History of the AVA
  • UNESCO Wine World Heritage Sites