SECOND GROWTH Bordeaux Wines: The Collector's Sweet Spot

In this wine collecting 101 video, John Jackson, DipWSET a/k/a Attorney Somm explains the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux and each of the 14 Second Growth Bordeaux wine producers. Attorney Somm also discusses buying strategies and some of his favorite vintages for each of these 14 producers. #bordeaux #wineeducation #1855classificationofbordeaux
SECOND GROWTH PRODUCERS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO
Chateau Pichon Baron
Chateau Montrose
Chateau Leoville Las Cases
Chateau Leoville Poyferre
Chateau Barton
Chateau Brane-Cantenac
Chateau Rauzan-Segla
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou
Chateau Lascombes
Chateau Cos d'Estournel
Chateau Gruaud Larose
Chateau Durford-Vivens
Chateau Rauzan-Gassies
Chateau Pichon Lalande
ATTORNEY SOMM'S COMPLETE BORDEAUX VIDEO PLAYLIST
• Bordeaux Videos
ATTORNEY SOMM'S FIRST GROWTH BORDEAUX VIDEOS
Chateau Margaux (2025): • What Is So Special Abo...
Chateau Latour: • CHÂTEAU LATOUR: What ...
Chateau Haut-Brion: • CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION: Wh...
Chateau Mouton Rothschild: • CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCH...
Chateau Margaux: • CHÂTEAU MARGAUX: What ...
Chateau Lafite: • CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCH...
Mouton's Artistic Wine Labels: • Château Mouton Rothsch...
Mouton's Elevation to First Growth: • From Second to First: ...
2017 Chateau Latour: • Bordeaux Brilliance: 2...
2016 Chateau Latour: • 2016 Château Latour: A...
ATTORNEY SOMM CLASSIFIED GROWTH BORDEAUX VIDEOS
Inside Bordeaux's Super Second Elite: • Inside Bordeaux's SUPE...
"Super Second Bordeaux" video: • Wine Collecting 101: S...
Second Growth Bordeaux video: • SECOND GROWTH Bordeaux...
Third Growth Bordeaux video: • THIRD GROWTH Bordeaux:...
Fourth Growth Bordeaux video: • Underrated BORDEAUX VA...
Fifth Growth Bordeaux video, part 1: • FIFTH GROWTH Bordeaux ...
Fifth Growth Bordeaux video, part 2: • FIFTH GROWTH Bordeaux ...
ATTORNEY SOMM BORDEAUX SECOND WINE VIDEOS
Right Bank Bordeaux Top Second Wines: • WINE CELLAR DEFENDERS:...
Left Bank Bordeaux Top Second Wines: • Wine CELLAR DEFENDERS:...
ATTORNEY SOMM BORDEAUX VIDEOS ABOUT SPECIFIC WINERIES
La Mission Haut-Brion: • Château LA MISSION HAU...
Cos d'Estournel: • COS D'ESTOURNEL: What ...
Pichon Comtesse (2025): • PICHON COMTESSE: What ...
Ducru Beaucaillou: • DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU: Wha...
Montrose: • Video
Cheval Blanc: • Inside Château CHEVAL ...
Pichon Lalande & Pichon Baron: • Pauillac Powerhouses: ...
Pichon Lalande: • Exploring Château Pich...
Pichon Baron: • Château PICHON BARON: ...
Chateau Palmer: • CHÂTEAU PALMER: What W...
Chateau Lynch-Bages: • Château LYNCH-BAGES: W...
Pontet Canet: • Château PONTET-CANET: ...
The Three Leovilles: • Léoville Las Cases, Po...
ATTORNEY SOMM BORDEAUX RECOMMENDATIONS BY VINTAGE
2020 Bordeaux: • 2020 Bordeaux: 9 MUST-...
2021 Bordeaux: • 2021 Bordeaux: 9 BEST ...
2022 Bordeaux: • 2022 Bordeaux: 7 MUST-...
2023 Bordeaux: 9 Must-Have Wines: • 2023 Bordeaux: 9 MUST-...
2023 Bordeaux: 11 Bordeaux Best Buys: • 2023 Bordeaux: 11 BEST...
BORDEAUX WINE TASTING VIDEOS
1998 Right Bank vs. Left Bank Tasting: • 1998 Bordeaux WINE BAT...
1990 First-Growth Bordeaux Tasting: • 1990 Bordeaux FIRST GR...
Ducru Beaucaillou Vertical Tasting: • Château DUCRU-BEAUCAIL...
OTHER ATTORNEY SOMM BORDEAUX VIDEOS
10 Top $30 Bordeaux: • The Best Bordeaux on a...
10 Top $40 Bordeaux: • Wine Collecting - 10 T...
10 Top $50 Bordeaux Wines: • Wine Collecting 101 - ...
7 Top $50 Bordeaux Wines: • Wine Collecting - 7 T...
9 Top $75 Bordeaux: • 9 Top $75 BORDEAUX WIN...
10 Top $75 Bordeaux: • Wine Collecting - 10 T...
Bordeaux En Primeur: • Bordeaux EN PRIMEUR? R...
Saint Emilion Overview: • Savoring SAINT-ÉMILION...
Bordeaux Breakdown: All You Need to Know About Bordeaux: • BORDEAUX BREAKDOWN! Ev...
WINE ACCESSORIES I USE
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DISCLOSURE
Some of the links above are set up through affiliate programs, which means that this channel receives a modest referral credit if you choose to purchase or sign up through the link(s) above. Affiliate links help allow me to continue to bring you great content and impartial wine reviews. Thank you for contributing to the Attorney Somm community!

[@AttorneySomm]

To learn more about the First Growth Bordeaux Wines, please watch the following videos: kzbin.info/aero/PL2aDDJZh--pDc0ewcwVBvoiUsBLCCcuHv.

[@NaderAli-px8ir]

❤

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you @@NaderAli-px8ir

[@gabriela_dng]

OhH LÀ LÀ I felt like a child in front of an offer of many flavors of ice cream anxious to assertively pick up the one that would make me the happiest! The difference here is that as a woman now, I watched a Royal video about many Châteaux in Bordeaux offering amazing second grow wines, followed by a rich explanation of the Châteaux, prices, methods and skills, and may be the most important to me: The best vintages of each of them. Patience is a magic key for these gems. I don’t understand when they drink these wines so young. So, this video is a complete treasure for those that are staring and for the ones that already have been in the enjoyable world of wine. I’m impressed by all the content. A total immersion. A master class! Pichon Comtesse de Lalande and Ducru Beacaillonu are one of my faves. WoW John, thank you really!! Santé🍷

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much Gabriela! Greatly appreciate it! Completely agree with you - these wines are so much better with age! Very glad you enjoyed it! Hope you have a wonderful Sunday! Santé!

[@HumbleGnome]

It might not be the most consistent 2nd growth, but Brane-Cantenac hold a special place in my heart, because it was the first classed growth I bought and drank. So, I'm delighted to see the quality improve vintage by vintage. Bought quite a few of their 2019 and 2022 vintage. I can't wait to taste them in a decade!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Yes they have been making great strides! You should be very pleased!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You opened with my favorite second growth, Montrose!!!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! Such an impressive producer!

[@stag7882004]

The Brane Cantenac can be got for about $100 USD at Total Wine. ‘17, ‘18, and ‘20 vintages are in stock

[@AttorneySomm]

Excellent! Thank you for weighing in!

[@andrewmcdonald6208]

I found a BC 2019 at Costco Paradise Valley AZ location for $50 back in June 2023

[@AttorneySomm]

@@andrewmcdonald6208 What a great find! Well done!

[@nitinnadkarni8864]

Thanks so much for your highly informative & very enjoyable videos on Bordeaux and wines generally. Learnt so much from you. One point: I notice you start your recommendation of Rauzan Segala from 2015. I read on Farr Vintners website that at the “10 years On” Southwold tasting in 2020 by various MWs and persons in the trade, Rauzan Segala 2010 was ranked joint equal with Ch Margaux.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! RS was consistently strong every year since 2015, but they also made excellent wine in certain strong vintages before that. 2009 and 2010 are examples of high quality earlier vintages.

[@BenSale-n9o]

Thank you very much for this video. I’m just getting into Bordeaux and you’ve given me lots to look for. I for one really appreciate the effort that it must take to put out these videos. It appreciated. Thank you

[@AttorneySomm]

My pleasure! Glad it was useful! Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@michaelsim4440]

Hi John, great video as usual. Very informative. If you are free, maybe can do a video on Clerc Milon..one of my favourite. Thank you for sharing.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! I have a two-part video on 5th Growth Bordeaux that includes Clerc Milon. I enjoy that producer too!

[@michaelsim4440]

Watching now actually 😂.. thanks for sharing

[@AttorneySomm]

@@michaelsim4440 Hope you enjoyed!

[@donovanfraser4904]

Really enjoy your content. Very informative and interesting information. Appreciate all the efforts in making these videos

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Very glad to hear it. Appreciate the kind feedback. 👍🍷

[@legian3324]

Great video John as always. On Ducru Beaucaillou, I would suggest the “Croix” instead of the “Petit” one. The wine is incredible value for money. 👌

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! And thanks too for weighing in. Appreciate your input. Cheers!

[@pjyothi6533]

Funny I just posted a question about that wondering if it’s the second wine or a second label. It is priced higher than petit ducru

[@julioalbertomorales]

Arming us with incredibly useful info to navigate the huge producer ocean to land the best at various levels.Thank you!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Very glad it was useful! Cheers!

[@roelandbuijsse3523]

Got the 02 Cos 🙂. You’re absolutely right. Regards from the Netherlands

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Such a tremendous wine! 👍🍷

[@maryejohn]

Great explanation, John! Not much info about this subject around. Exploring the world of second Growth Bordeaux is like embarking on a journey through time and terroir. Cheers to the timeless elegance and depth that second Growth Bordeaux brings to the world of wine! 🍷✨

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Very well said! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!

[@kairodumba7924]

I have been binge watching your videos since I got into wine. Would you go for 2012 Chateau Montrose or a 2015 Chateau La Clotte?

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy the videos. Great question! I’d probably go with La Clotte. 15 is a strong vintage for them and you can enjoy it right away.

[@abulero011]

I'm participating on a wine tasting on September and the theme is: 90s Bordeaux - I'm from Brazil and it's no easy (and cheap) to find reliable old vintages, but I've bought a 1995 Chateau Leoville Las Cases. Hopefully it's a good vintage... I have the option to buy a 1996 bottle as well one of your favorites. What do you think? My 1995 Chateau Leoville Las Cases is a good deal?

[@AttorneySomm]

Hello! Just responded on LinkedIn. Definitely go with the 96! The 95 is fine, but the 96 is stunning and ready now. The 95 could use a little more time. Its a bit tannic still.

[@msmiltoncat]

I just start watching thank you for this informative video, I'm definitely learning a lot from you, cheers!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Very glad to hear it! Cheers!

[@jamesnordbeck382]

Awesome video and awesome wines! I am very happy to have a few of these unicorn wines in my collection.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Very pleased you enjoyed it! Cheers! 👍🍷

[@wmvangemeren]

Love your videos! Really helpful and educational. Keep up the good work👍🏻 grtz from Holland 🇳🇱

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! So glad to hear that. Truly appreciate the kind feedback!

[@carlhornberger1839]

Having started drinking only French wine for several years..I find it interesting how I'm gravating towards California now...

[@AttorneySomm]

That is interesting indeed! Is it a more fruit-forward style that you find appealling?

[@NatashaRaisorGlam]

Wow, thank you for posting such an informative video.

[@AttorneySomm]

My pleasure, Natasha! Thanks very much for watching and the kind words. Very glad you enjoyed it!

[@vinvoyage]

So timely, so helpful, informative, insightful, relevant - thank you for this outstanding video! Some of my favorites are in this video and I’m so glad you posted this just when I’m in a major Bordeaux mood and mode.😉 Love all the info, insights, tips, recommendations, and pictures you included here. I’ll be watching this more than once, that’s for sure, and probably commenting more than once as well.😁 Your light blue shirt seems perfect for the Singapore weather, by the way. Glad you were able to successfully record and edit this fantastic video when you were in SG. One of your best! Felicitations et merci beaucoup, John!

[@AttorneySomm]

Merci beaucoup Margaux! So pleased you enjoyed it! Definitely a dense video this week with a lot of information! Hope that it is useful! Santé!

[@vinvoyage]

@@AttorneySomm So very useful and valuable! Perfect timing, too! Have a wonderful Sunday!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@vinvoyage Very glad to hear it! Thank you! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

[@vinvoyage]

@@AttorneySomm You’re welcome! Thank you; hope you enjoy your Sunday as well!

[@carlhornberger1839]

Perhaps..and I think California has continued to raise the bar in the development of outstanding wine..

[@AttorneySomm]

There are certainly lots of outstanding producers in California. One of my favorite developments there has been the reduction in the amount of new oak that many producers use in the maturation process, particularly in Napa and not waiting until the grapes are overripe to harvest. But I have also seen tremendous progress in Bordeaux, in particular, the past 20 years. Most of the major producers all have new wineries, use plot-by-plot vinification and winemaking and are using organic practices. I came away from my recent trip extremely impressed.

[@LASUPERLAWYERS]

Some small disagreements: the Rauzan-Segla from 1986, 1989 and 1990 is still worthwhile. Your opinions on Cos, Pichon Baron, Leoville Las Cases, Ducru, Montrose and Gruaud Larose mirrored my views on vintages before 09. I’ve bought nothing after 2010, so this was very helpful to me in your 2016 recommendations. Thanks very much.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much for weighing in and the feedback! Not sure I’ve tried the 89 or 90 Rauzan Segla, but I’m a huge fan of those vintages so that does not surprise me. Cheers!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

John, as usual… you make this videos very informative and I always learn something new watching you ! You are like a good surgeon who make you believe surgery is easy!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much, my friend! Truly appreciate the kind feedback. Very pleased you enjoyed it. Cheers!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

@@AttorneySomm My son will go to SMU engineering and then he wants to do JD / MBA. we will be coming to dallas a lot in next few years!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@sanjaypatelmd4669 Glad to hear it! Hope you can join my at Roots & Water soon.

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

@@AttorneySomm we definitely will. We applied for membership at Park house at highland park… We would love to reciprocate

[@AttorneySomm]

@@sanjaypatelmd4669 Sounds terrific! Looking forward to it!

[@coryz6880]

Very informative & useful video/resource…thank you 🍷

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

[@John-sg9fz]

Great video as usual

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@hxl6162]

Perfect John 👍🏻👌🏼🍷🍷🍷

[@rb1084]

I can get the Montrose 2015 for €160 but i don’t know if its worth it, Saint Estephe had some difficulties in 2015…

[@AttorneySomm]

I think so. Montrose is the best Saint Estephe wine in 2015 in my view.

[@jimmycalhoun3371]

John, I really enjoy and appreciate all of your videos. When you recommend wines it would be a great help if you could let us know where to purchase them. I just started collecting wines and any advise you could give to locate some of the rarer vintages would be greatly appreciated. All the best to you.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! I always start with a search on wine searcher dot com. That will help to show you what is available and you can filter by location, including ship-to location. Two places with older vintages you may want to check out include Benchmark and Hart Davis Hart. Cheers!

[@timdijkema1743]

Thanks for this informative video John, once again! Will be looking out for some Pichon Comtesse reserve. I reckon 2018, 19 en 20 a safe bet?

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, absolutely. Can’t go wrong with any of those vintages.

[@rickwezenaar]

Funny. I just purchased a bottle of 2014 Chateau Leoville Poyferre and there you come up with a video about it ^_^

[@AttorneySomm]

Very nice timing! Such an outstanding producer. Hope you enjoy the wine (and the video)!

[@rickwezenaar]

@@AttorneySomm well, it's still young imho. A couple more years probably will do it service.

[@AttorneySomm]

@@rickwezenaar Agreed.! Did not mean to imply you should open it immediately. The guidance in the video re: timing still stands. 😀

[@pjyothi6533]

For Ducru is their second wine La Croix or is that altogether a second label. Had the 2015 at a tasting and very good. Enjoy your videos

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! La Croix is a second label. The fruit for that wine comes from vines not used to produce the top wines.

[@welshtoro3256]

A really excellent post which I enjoyed very much John. I hope you are enjoying yourself in Singapore (I'm sure you are). Much as I love French wine I find its classification system so out of touch and obsolete. First Growth; Second Growth; Bordeaux; Left Bank; Confusing label, etc. It's high time we left it all behind. Great wine should speak for itself no matter what region or part of the world. 1855 means nothing today. WT

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Very glad you enjoyed it. Definitely had a terrific time in Singapore! Just returned home last night. Best regards, John.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@WT--If you believe Bordeaux is confusing, what kind of nightmare is Burgundy and Calif. wine(& Champagne) to you? Compare buying Lafite to buying a Mondavi wine.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@ronmcmartin4513 😄Very true

[@JackAgainski]

I have a case of the 2009 Montrose and paid $2,388 as a future and also some 2009 Baron and a case of the 2009 Lalande. I also got some other wines like the Haut Bailly, the Leoville Barton, Leoville Poyferre, Vieux Ch. Certan and a case (6 bottles) of the rare Ch. Brannon. I forgot to mention cases of the 2009 & 2010 Pontet Canet.

[@AttorneySomm]

Very nice! Some very savvy purchases. 👍🍷

[@johngo3715]

Posting vids even when in Singapore. Wow

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! Have not missed a week since October of 2021!

[@Ozrichead]

It's not a second growth, but I recently had the 2020 Château Cantemerle and it was fantastic. Probably one of the best QPRs right now out of all the grand cru classés. Have you had that one and if so what did you think?

[@AttorneySomm]

Yes, that one is definitely an excellent value! It is actually a Fifth Growth and certainly a compelling value at current pricing. Cheers!

[@don_kandon6006]

Hey, great information :) Question. Does 1st growth are overrated, and you overpay? Kind of paying a premium for status, name and brand? Honestly, even if money is not a problem, is it really worth it? I am kind of thinking of an example, that 61% of millionaires (the smart ones), drive toyota and honda, and not like bentleys etc. Thanks.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Great question. The wines are very special. Personally, I do enjoy tasting the First Growths, but due to the cost I do not do so that often. I think it is worth it occasionally. Cheers!

[@don_kandon6006]

@@AttorneySomm Thanks for the answer, your information is insanely valuable, so thanks for sharing and teaching us :) So basically 1st growths- for once a month or few months, special occasions, and then their 2nd or 3rd wines, or 2nd growths, daily-weekly? :)

[@AttorneySomm]

@@don_kandon6006 Yes, exactly! Very glad to hear it! 👍🍷

[@АнастасияБородуля-ц9г]

Could you explain what means “second label”?

[@AttorneySomm]

Yes, whereas a second wine is from the same vineyards as the top wine, a second label is from different fruit sources entirely. An example is Clos du Marquis for Las Cases. That wine is made from different fruit/vineyard plot than LLC and Le Petit Lion. Great question!

[@АнастасияБородуля-ц9г]

@@AttorneySomm Thanks! You are great 👍

[@AttorneySomm]

@@АнастасияБородуля-ц9г Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@hxl6162]

John do you think that organic wines justifies all the hype?

[@AttorneySomm]

I think it depends. In certain regions it is easy to do with very little effort (eg, Southern Rhone), whereas in others it is more difficult (eg, Champagne). And in cooler places, it may be better to use certain chemicals sparingly and intelligently than to use something like copper that is organic, but potentially dangerous and harmful.

[@BenSale-n9o]

Thank you very much for this video. I’m just getting into Bordeaux and you’ve given me lots to look for. I for one really appreciate the effort that it must take to put out these videos. It appreciated. Thank you

[@AttorneySomm]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the thoughtful comment. 👍🍷