Liv-ex claims Pontet Canet should be second growth

Fine wine exchange Liv-ex has promoted Chateaux Pontet Canet, Beychevelle and Duhart Milon to second growths in their sometimes controversial two yearly re-classification of the original 1855 Bordeaux growths. Every two years they recalculate the growths based on the original criteria - the price of the wines. For the first growths it is £3,300 per case and over, for the seconds £700 to £3,229, thirds £400 to £699 and so on.

Lafite, with an average price of £11,043 per case, consolidates its position at the top of the first growths followed by Latour, Margaux, Mouton, Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut Brion, a grand cru, which just scrapes into the first growth category at £3,400 per case.

Third growth Palmer (£1655 per case) remains at the top of the second growths with fifth growth Lynch Bages (£931) close behind. Beychevelle (£715), Duhart Milon (£1147) and Pontet Canet (£801) also become second growths, while Leoville Barton (£547) is relegated to third growth.

Second label wines are not included in the re-classification even though some of them fall within these price bands.