The eagerly awaited 2006 St Emilion classification – the first for ten years – has yielded some surprises, reports Decanter.com. Both Troplong-Mondot and Pavie-Macquin have been promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé.

Everyone expected Troplong-Mondot’s rise, but Pavie-Macquin was a less expected choice, even though the wine has greatly improved under the management of Nicolas Thienpont.
Ironically, Bellevue, another property that Thienpont manages, with advice from star consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, has been demoted.

A keen British observer of the St Emilion scene noted that no garagiste properties had been promoted. “Some of those promoted do extract very fully and make wines in a Parkerised style but overall there’s an interesting balance between ‘traditional’ and ‘American’ styles,” Tim Hartley, Chancellor of the British branch of the Jurade de St Emilion, said.

“Many critics of the system had said that the new classification would be a one-way ladder up. But they’ve been proved wrong. There are a striking number of demotions,” Hartley said.
For the complete story and details of the new classification, go to http://www.decanter.com