Wines have their own 5-star system to help buyers distinguish between the subtle quality differences. Although in the wine world the “5 star” system is the 5 “Crus” and the grading is flipped (“1” is best and “5” least distinguished). Actually, the full “Cinquieme Cru” is only for Medoc red wines, but other French wines have comparable classifications. The grading follows the property (not unlike resort ratings) and denotes the quality of the vineyard and a wine making operation.
At the top of the class (or “classee” so to speak) are the “1er Cru Classé” (sort of translated as “first class growth”). And at the top of the class in the Maldives for 1er Cru Classé selection is One & Only Reethi Rah. First growth wines on the Island include such legendary bottles as…
- 2001 Château Latour, 1er Cru Classé
- 1999 Château Latour, 1er Cru Classé
- 1985 Château Lafite Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
- 1999 Château Lafite Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
- 2009 Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
- 2004 Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
- 1993 Château Mouton Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé
- 1989 Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé
- 2003 Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé
- 2009 Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé
- 2006 Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé
- 2001Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé
- 1995 Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé
They even have a very rare vintage of Château d’Yquem – 1904 1er Cru Classé Superieur.
Here at Maldives Complete, the “1er Cru” of all things Maldivian is of course “Best of the Maldives”. And so many vinous distrinctions have come to my attention recently that I have added the new “wine” tag to the categories.