The release of Chateau Latour 2012 direct from the esteemed First Growth’s cellar is a historic moment – the first opportunity for anyone to acquire Latour 2012, and the first new release in 8 years. To top this the Chateau has priced its 2012 vintage fairly offering growth potential for investors. Top tip – get it now while you can!
PRICE: Latour 2012 was released in the UK this morning at £4,200 (12x75cl), a 20% €uro / 12.5% Sterling discount on the 2011 vintage released eight years ago (£4,800 per 12×75). Sterling has weakened against the Euro since the release of Latour 2011 in May 2012 so the 20% discount on the euro release only translates to a 12.5% discount in sterling terms.
Furthermore, prices for Latour have historically shown 83% correlation to Wine Advocate scores. According to Liv-ex’s ‘Fair Value’ methodology, which measures the relationship between critic scores and Market Price using regression analysis, Latour 2012 (96+ WA) should naturally be predicted to be priced at around £5,000 (12x75cl) based on this norm. The current price of £4,200 is a great opportunity to secure one of the highest scoring wines from this blue-chip producer, which also has the highest level of control over primary supply of their wine of all of the great Bordeaux First Growths. So, these opportunities are rare.
KEY POINTS – Chateau Latour 2012
- Blue-chip First Growth investment wine
- 2012 – the first release since the 2011 vintage issued in 2012
- Limited allocation release at a lower than expected price
- Currently rare opportunity to acquire Latour new releases
- High critics’ score of 96+ with room to grow at ten-year tastings in 2022
- Top candidate for ‘wine of the vintage’
The Chateau also released its second wine, Forts Latour 2014, for the first time today, priced at £1,680 (12 x 75cl), similar to the 2013 vintage price. Another excellent wine for Latour enthusiasts and those keen to sample Latour without the Grand Vin price tag!
Chateau Latour took the strategic decision to withdraw from the Bordeaux en primeurs process in 2012, instead choosing to issue new wines at the time they enter their drinking window. By doing this Latour has retained control over supply and pricing to a far greater degree. The First Growth being one of a very few producers with the resources to be able to take such a bold step. For collectors and investors 2012 offers blue-blood provenance with supply direct from the Chateau Cellars certainly adding appeal and one would argue potential future value.
Latour 2012 – the Critics’ View:
| CRITIC: | SCORE | COMMENT / date |
| Lisa Perotti-Brown, MW – Wine Advocate | 96+ / 100 | “This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’ power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache.” – April 2020 |
| Neal Martin, Vinous.com | 96 / 100 | “It has always been a candidate for wine of the vintage… just have a bit of patience” – April 2020 |
In terms of vintage quality, 2012 was generally seen as a ‘Mid-Vintage’, not quite having the cachet of the Prime 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2015 vintages, but still delivered individual excellent quality wines. Neal Martin, introduced by Robert Parker as his successor in terms of rating Bordeaux, tipped Latour as probably the ‘wine of the vintage’.
Originally planned for March 18th this year, the Latour 2012 release was delayed due to Covid-19, along with the deferral of the 2019 Bordeaux en primeurs campaign which is planned to now launch next week.
We are delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to add Chateau Latour 2012 to your collection, or it is a great wine to kick-start your fine wine investment portfolio – call us now for more information on 0203 384 2262.