Bordeaux 2013: ‘Not a vintage for speculators’

The Bordeaux 2013 vintage is proving more aromatically expressive than first thought but still needs to be priced low to entice consumers Alan Raynaud, president of the Grand Cercle Bordeaux, has said.

Speaking to the drinks business, Raynaud explained that despite the difficulties of the year the wines were beginning to show “very interesting aromatic expressions”.

He added that it was “not excellent…but decent,” and warned that producers “must price this vintage low.

“Bordeaux has been in a very dangerous situation in the last three years because prices have risen so much.

‘This has led to disappointment I can understand.”

He continued though that with an “attractive” array of wines in 2013 now was a good time to once again push the message that only a very small percentage of Bordeaux is sold en primeur for such high prices.

“Very expensive wines are only 3% of the production,” he explained. “But they give the image of Bordeaux as no longer being attainable, as expensive,” when in fact, “we have Bordeaux for everyday consumption.”

For this reason, the Grand Cercle is presenting the 2013 vintage at a tasting in London next week – alongside a selection of 2011s as well.

“I think people will be surprised,” said Raynaud, “in a good way.”

But, he conceded,if the message was to get across: “We have to travel, meet people and make an effort.”

The Grand Cercle tasting is taking pace next week on 19 March at Le Meridien Hotel from 4pm to 9pm.