Parker tasting lifts prices

Wine critic Robert Parker’s seminar in Hong Kong caused a flurry of interest in his favourite labels.

Img courtesy of Jeff Leve/The Wine Cellar Insider

The “Magical 20” tasting saw Parker lead a tasting through 20 up and coming châteaux from the 2009 vintage.

Having praised Angelus and Cos d’Estournel in particular, Liv-ex noted a small jump in prices following the tasting.

Cos d’Estournel climbed to £2,190 per case – up from £2,100 in September – and Angleus reached a four month high of £2,200.

Palmer too received a small fillip and the index asked if any more wines from the tasting might do likewise as the wines’ physical release approaches.

It must surely be tempting, of the 20 wines in the tasting only Angelus, Conseillante, Cos d’Estournel, Fleur Pétrus, Léoville Las Cases, Palmer and Trotanoy are trading at or above £1,500 a case.

Other names including Pichons Lalande and Baron, Pontet Canet, Haut Bailly, Lynch Bages, Pape Clement, Rauzan Ségla and Brane Cantenac are trading for substantially less with the latter estate trading below £500 a case.

Jack Hibberd, head of data & research at Liv-ex, told the drinks business: “Some of the wines featured in the tasting have seen an uptick in demand although prices have not moved in a major way.

“The Magical 20 are still trading as en primeur wines so there is unlikely to be an immediate squeeze on supply and a spike in price. These wines become physically available in around 6 months time, so the key test will be then.
“The more important factor is that a broadening of the market is well underway in Hong Kong. It is no longer just the First Growths that are in demand.

“This tasting gives added impetus to this trend by highlighting the fact that the rank of Bordeaux just below the Firsts are making exceptional (and often great-value) wines. I think this is a long-term trend that will certainly include wines not included in the Magical 20 and vintages other than just the 2009s.”