If ever there was a time to invest in a safe haven, tangible investment it’s summer 2020! Bordeaux may well have identified this as a moment to add to the appeal with the top Chateaux issuing their 2019 vintage at discounts around 30% to 2018.
This year’s release from Bordeaux may have started in a muted manner due to Covid-19 – the annual taste-athon first week of April was cancelled, virtual tastings and the delayed campaign may well have dampened expectations but the current daily announcements of highly scored Bordeaux being released at prices not seen for a number of years has grabbed attention and is creating a buzz.
Key Bordeaux 2019 vintage releases @ 9th June 2020
| Release Date | 2019 Wine | Trade Release price
(12x75cl) | Discount to 2018 price | Critics’ score |
| 28/5 | Pontet Canet | £1,038 | -29.5% | 96 J-MQ |
| 02/6 | Palmer | £2,892 | -31% | 97 J-MQ |
| 03/6 | Cos d’Estournel | £1,368 | -23% | 98 – 99 JS |
| 04/6 | Lafleur | £5,800 | Same price | 98 J-MQ |
| 05/6 | Lafite Rothschild | £5,112 | -14.8% | 99 – 100 JS |
| 05/6 | L’Evangile | £1,752 | -22.1% | 97 – 98 JS |
| 08/6 | Angelus | £2,844 | -7% | 98 – 99 JS |
| 08/6 | Cheval Blanc | £4,500 | -31.7% | 98 J-MQ |
| 09/6 | Mouton Rothschild | £3,588 | -29.8% | 99 – 100 JS |
| 09/6 | Petit Mouton | £1,764 | -16.9% | 96 -97 JS |
Source: Liv-ex.com Critics: JS – James Suckling, LPB – Lisa Perotti-Brown – Wine Advocate, J-M Q – Jean-Marc Quarin
The market has sought more value from the Bordeaux en primeur pricing strategy for years now, and in 2020 the current environment and global economic challenges will surely have had an influence on pricing which demands investor focus on Bordeaux 2019. The top Chateaux to release to date have all discounted significantly on the 2018 vintage en primeur issue prices, except for Lafleur! Lafleur is an interesting case – they have matched 2018’s first release price which is still really exciting as that vintage has seen its price rise 135.6% in the last 12 months!
A quality vintage
Critics’ tastings and ratings so far of the wine in barrel are that this is a good to high quality vintage. James Sucklings’ top wines of Bordeaux 2019 can be seen below:
James Suckling top 2019 En Priimeurs to date:
| Wine | Appellation | Classification | Score |
| Lafite Rothschild | Pauillac | First Growth | 99 – 100 |
| Mouton Rothschild | Pauillac | First Growth | 99 – 100 |
| Margaux | Margaux | First Growth | 99 – 100 |
| Angelus | St Emilion | Grand Cru Classe A | 99 – 100 |
| Ducru- Beaucaillou | St Julien | Second Growth | 99 – 100 |
| Pavie | St Emilion | Grand Cru Classe A | 98 – 99 |
| Cos d”Estournel | St Estephe | Second Growth | 98 – 99 |
| Pontet Canet | Pauillac | Fifth Growth | 98 – 99 |
| Haut-Bailly | Pessac Leognan | Grand Cru | 98 – 99 |
| Pavie Macquin | St Emilion | Grand Cru | 98 – 99 |
| Larcis Ducasse | St Emilion | Grand Cru | 98 – 99 |
| Trotanoy | Pomerol | N/A | 98 – 99 |
| Vieux Chateau Certan | Pomerol | N/A | 98 – 99 |
Source: Liv-ex.com – James Suckling
So, the quality is good, the prices are definitely engaging and en primeur supply is low. The Chateaux have been bold and provided a price discount now – but they have reduced the volume of wine available to buy at this price. Some Chateaux have reduced their normal release volume by a third and some more.
The message is simple – it’s a rare opportunity to buy Bordeaux’s best at the prices currently available for the 2019 vintage. We will keep you posted on our thoughts on the best wines for investors – contact us now on 0203 384 2262 for more information and to understand the pros and cons of investing in en primeur wines.
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