Bordeaux 2014: Counting Lacoste

Pavie emerged this morning and, as was expected, mirrored fellow Saint Emilion “A” Angelus in its pricing, while the “best value” wine of the year was also released.

Pavie inched up 9.1% to €180 per bottle ex-négociant, the same as Angelus which released at the end of April. The two estates have released at the same price every year since their elevation to “A” cru classé status in 2012.

The current pricing for both is exactly the same as they asked for their 2012 wines, which released in 2013 with premiums of 30% for Angelus and 58% for Pavie over their 2011 releases.

At £1,700 a case, there are cheaper back vintages to choose from (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2013), all of which have more than 90-points and several of which are comparably scored to the 2014 – which got a 94-96 point spread from Neal Martin.

Following on from the rush of Right Bank estates yesterday morning, Grand Puy Lacoste emerged in the afternoon. The Pauillac fifth growth released at €38.5 p/b a 23.4% increase on its 2013 price.

For the fifth year in a row it was voted the most likely to be “best value” during the campaign by Liv-ex’s members and although it is less than the £500 p/cs upper limit, at £375 p/cs it may be more expensive than many were expecting.

“At this price, it is among the most expensive recent vintages on the market with only the 2005, 2009 and 2010 commanding higher prices,” Liv-ex noted and its 2014 score (around 94-points) is the highest since those three famous years, “but will this be enough?” asked Liv-ex.

Other releases between 18-19 May were: (all prices p/b and ex-négoce)

Smith Haut Lafitte – €45.6 (+18.8%)

Haut Batailley – €22.8 (+8.6%)

Lascombes – €42 (+16.7%)

Pavie Decesse – €78 (+5.4%)