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Bordeaux estates continue the rapid release of en primeurs

22 May 2024 By Arabella Mileham

There have been no signs of the pace slowing on the flood of releases coming out of Bordeaux, which includes a “positively stellar” Léoville Poyferré and a “fabulous” La Fleur-Pétrus. However a number of releases out in the last few days are among the most expensive vintages from their estate currently on the market.

Saint Emilion, France – May 26, 2017: storefront of the house of a producer of great flood of Saint Emilion wine, Chateau Soutard on a spring day

Today saw the release of Château Léoville Poyferré 2023, which came out at 32.7% down on its 2022 opening price, at €56.50 per bottle ex-négociant. Widely feted by the critics, Neal Martin called it “a contender for the best Saint-Julien in show” and Antoni Galloni, “positively stellar” while Jane Anson said it was ‘truly a wine for Bordeaux lovers to seek out’. It was offered by the international trade for £674 per case of 12, around 33.5% down on the £1,014 that was the 2022’s opening price.

However, as Liv-ex points out, there are existing vintages that offer better value, including the 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2020 vintages.

Clos Fourtet 2023 was also out today, at €70 per bottle ex-négociant (£840 per case of 12), while Château Canon la Gaffelière 2023 hit the road at €50.40 per bottle (to the international trade at £602.40 per case of 12). This provides good value, Liv-ex noes, with only the 14 and 17 offering better value.

Monday saw the “fabulous’” (Antoni Galloni) Château Beychevelle 2023 released, a wine with “balance and finesse” according to Jane Anson, which hit the market at €60 per bottle ex-négociant down only 11.1% on the 2022 release of €67.50. However, Liv-ex noted that this still offers reasonable value to buyers. The decrease on Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2023 was a little higher, releasing at €45.6 per bottle ex-négociant, down 17.4% on the 2022, available to the international trade at £549.60 per case of 12.

Château La Fleur-Petrus 2023 was also out that day, offered by the international trade for £1,500 per case of 12, a 33.6% decrease on the 2022’s opening price. Antonio Galloni awarded it a score of 94-96 points, calling it “fabulous”.

Others released included Certan de May 2023, offered by its UK distributor, Corney & Barrow at £71.67, an 18% reduction on the 2021, and Bélair-Monange 2023 being offered by Corney & Barrow at £98.33, down 31% on the 2022 or 13% on the ’21.