Bordeaux 2013: the end is nigh

With the release of Vieux Château Certan, L’Eglise Clinet and Léoville Poyferré this morning, the end of the Bordeaux 2013 campaign is in sight.

Although Yquem, Pichon Comtesse and Le Pin are among a small handful of estates still to release, the campaign is definitely nearing an end.

VCC released this morning at the same price as its 2012, €90 per bottle ex-négociant, while Pomerol neighbour L’Eglise Clinet dropped 15% to €106 p/b.

Both wines were singled out for high praise from merchants and commentators this year, James Suckling for example gave VCC 90-91 points and Eglise Clinet 93-94.

If you gauge value by looking at back vintages then, once again, a softening market means cheaper physical vintages but for those who do want to buy 2013 en primeur then two such highly rated wines may very well prove tempting.

As Joss Fowler, head of fine wine at Fine & Rare, told the drinks business, one thing that also counts in their favour is the extremely limited quantities available in 2013.

Wines that will be hard to find a few years after they become physical, especially if they are good ones, provides a good reason to buy.

Also out from the Left Bank was the last of the Léovilles, Léoville Poyferré which knocked 11% off its 2012 price to €38.40.

At that price it will be at a similar level to its 2012, 2008, 2006 and 2004 vintages, with only the 2007 being substantially cheaper.