Daily commentary - Bordeaux 2023 Vintage Campaign
04.06.24: There has been a flurry of releases today, seeing Rouget, Pichon Baron, Giscours, Pavie and the wines of the late Denis Durantou come out. Unfortunately, the majority are rather underwhelming and lacking appeal, due to the prices of older vintages available. Rouget is our pick of the day, as it is a wine we rated strongly at 17.5-18, has gone from strength to strength over the last 6 years and with the changes implemented during this time, offers an excellent and elegant Pomerol. Pichon Baron isn’t particularly compelling, but if you’re an avid fan, buying a case now is a definite consideration. The Durantou wines are often popular, especially at the lower end with their fine value efforts of Saintayme, Les Cruzelles, Le Chenade & Montlandrie, but their flagship of L’Eglise-Clinet may stumble at £627/3. However, it will get some attention as it is a potential 100-point wine from Neal Martin.
3.06.24: Bordeaux ‘23 returns with a flurry of renowned names today, with Pichon Lalande blazing the way in both quality and price. At £660/6 IB it is released lower than our recommended buy price and is one of the wines of the vintage for many who tried it. We scored the wine 18/20 and at this price, it is very much a compelling purchase and one to buy if you can. Only the much lesser vintages of 2017, 2013-2011 are available for less. It mostly sold out to pre-orders, but please enquire should you be interested in a case.
The other properties to have released alongside are Château Palmer, Château Branaire Ducru and Château Phelan-Segur at £1,440, £193 & £186 per 6, respectively. Palmer has continued in its pattern of stubbornness and is only a purchase for those avid fans of the estate. Branaire and Phelan will give you some serious depth and refinement for their prices, however it irks that you can buy the 2020 & 2019 for less. Coming over our recommended purchase price by only a handful of pounds, you may want to consider these two as they show class.
31.05.24: To bring a quiet week of releases from the “place de Bordeaux” (VinExpo in Hong Kong saw to that) we have the gem that is Chateau Rocheyron, Peter Sisseck’s St.Emilion star. Since the inaugural release in 2010 this has been incrementally improving with 2023 possibly a new peak. Don’t just believe us, the press agree…
23.05.24: The releases continue apace today with a number of wines that provide great medium-term drinking enjoyment across a range of appellations: Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac), Cantenac-Brown (Margaux), Lagrange (St-Julien) and La Gaffelière (St-Émilion). At £195/6 Cantenac-Brown represents a delicious Margaux and falls within our price range, £270/6 for La Gaffelière means it is a compellingly priced St-Émilion. The big name release of the day is undoubtedly Grand-Puy-Lacoste but at £273/6 it does not quite show the reduction in price we were hoping for. Nevertheless, Xavier and Emeline Borie produce elegant Pauillacs year on year and 2023 is no exception. We scored it highly and lovers of the estate should be confident in buying a wine that has all the hallmarks of quality one would expect from this property. It should will age gracefully.
22.05.24: A gaggle of releases emerged this morning with a couple of rather distinguished names amongst them; Château Léoville Poyferré (Saint-Julien) and Clos Fourtet (St-Emilion), plus Château Canon-la-Gaffelière, La Mondotte, and Château Marquis de Terme. Released at £340/6 for Léoville Poyferré and £420/6 for Clos Fourtet, the prices for both stack up relatively well against the market (Léoville Poyferré arguably pushing the value argument further), coming in lower than the recent strong vintages, and having to look to the lesser and more challenging years to find cheaper cases. We liked both wines, scoring them 17-17.5, and as they both fell reasonably within out recommended buy price, we would recommend followers of the properties to jump in on the 2023.
21.05.24: After a break with a public holiday yesterday, we were hoping for another compelling release to re-engage with and Beychevelle has happily obliged! With a good track record of pricing en primeur, we were hopeful it would be one to get behind as we rated the wine at 17.5+, enamoured with its juicy vibrancy and freshness. Thankfully, it hasn’t disappointed coming out at £360/6 (the very bottom of our recommend buy price), making it the lowest priced Beychevelle of any vintage. The morning’s other notable release is Domaine de Chevalier, but unfortunately not at a notable price. Both their Rouge and Blanc enter the market as the second most expensive vintages after the 2022, even with a strong C&B score of 18, it’s not one we endorse.
17.05.24: A quietish day today with a public holiday looming on Monday in France. Château St-Pierre, Château du Tertre and Château Gazin have stepped forward where our attention has only been caught by one here… Gazin. At £291/6 it has made some real effort and comes lower than all vintages except 2021 & 2017. It’s a joy to say that Gazin enthusiasts should jump in here, after many taking a hiatus over the last 2 to 3 years. A quite serious yet generous effort in 2023.
16.05.24: A rather frustrating turn around this morning on the week’s positive momentum sees three flat, and even disappointing releases. Château d’Issan at £225/6 doesn’t make it much of an attractive buy, you can purchase many older vintages for the same or less (including 2019 and 2018!), we would even steer you towards another Margaux 3rd growth in Kirwan at £174/6. Château Pape-Clement seems to have snubbed the requirement for any type of significant discount in reducing by a mere 6 and 7% for the red and white respectively. Needless to say, the vast majority of older vintages are cheaper from 2020 onwards (bar 2016). For further disappointment comes Château Cos d’Estournel’s positioning, yes a 35% reduction sounds sizeable, but it does not translate into sense against market prices of older years – you can purchase 2021-2017 & 2015-2011 for less. Another lesson that the percentage discount should not be the focal point, but the specific condition of the market for that estate, and price appropriately. Cos d’Estournel Blanc we assume is having a total reposition, matching the same price as the red with a tiny 3% reduction, and all older vintages (including 2010) available cheaper. Bizarre.
15.05.24: The two renown properties to dominate today’s releases are Château Ausone and Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Both have positioned themselves positively, Ducru more so, showing that bit more willingness to come out as fairly as possible. At £440/bottle, Ausone is only 1.6% above the upper range of our recommended buy price, bringing it into the market at a pretty happy level (below the recent back vintages but more than the lesser years of 2011-2014 & 2017). It is an impressive Ausone and one of the higher scorers this year at 18 points. Ducru-Beaucaillou went even further, dropping below our recommended buy price range of £770-850 to £744/6, meaning it is below all vintages back to the 2011s-14s. Another big C&B scorer at 18 points. It is on the darker fruited, more structured and richer side of the wines this year, yet has excellent freshness to balance and reinforce this seductive effort. Jump in!Both second wines are available too, however we would suggest swerving Chapelle d’Ausone as it’s hard to find value... La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou however will bring ample early drinking fun.
14.05.24 (PM): The good news continues to roll out of Bordeaux this afternoon with the release of Lynch Bages 2023 and at an extremely commendable price. At £420/6 it is the lowest priced vintage of Lynch available, and this is for a wine we consider one of the best produced this year – Pauillac classicism at the core amongst drive and outstanding poise (18.5). We whole heartedly implore you to snaffle some, as we feel this is one of those releases you’ll look back on and think ‘that was a bargain, I wish I had got another case!’. Alongside Lynch comes a well-positioned Echo Lynch Bages (£155) and Lynch Blanc (£250) on pricing, the latter particularly impressive in 2023, plus an elegant Ormes de Pez at a very fair price of £105/6.
14.05.24 (AM): We applaud some of the pricing from the Clarence-Dillon stable, giving a few exciting releases to sell. Château Haut-Brion is particularly compelling, coming out considerably lower than we anticipated at £945 (3x75cl) and with a high C&B score, pitching it below all vintages except the lesser 2014, 2013 & 2011. A first growth of this quality at this price, it’s a great buy!! La Mission Haut-Brion is not far behind with its pricing idea, perhaps a little less of a draw, but at £555 a case (3x75cl) we feel it will warrant some of the attention it gets (only 2017, 2014, 2013 & 2011 are less in price). Haut-Brion Blanc has hit the ball out of the park at £1,635 a case (3x75cl), as for those loyal fans, this will be the cheapest vintage available. La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc did not follow suit at £1,305 sadly, with a smattering of vintages cheaper in the market (including the excellent 2019, 2018 & 2015). At the earlier drinking end, we give a grateful nod of the head towards La Chapelle de la Mission-Haut Brion at £270 a case (6x75cl), well priced and fine value compared to its sibling Le Clarence de Haut-Brion at £600 a case (6x75cl). There was not much between those two for us, quality wise!
13.05.24: It has been a busy morning, as it promised to be, with Cheval Blanc 2023 leading the charge at £1,170/case of 3 IB. Cheval Blanc is clearly one of the wines of the vintage, one we adored at team C&B (scoring it 18.5-19), achieving very high scores elsewhere too. The price is a touch above our recommended buy price for pre-orders of £1,050-£1,150, which is a shame, but most customers seem keen to proceed with their pre-orders. This price does make it more expensive than market prices of 2020, 2014 & 2012, but given the sheer quality of 2023 and the more recent years success of the team, one that is attractive to many still. However, Le Petit Cheval at £720/case of 6 IB seems one to ignore as it sits significantly higher than our fair price guide. Both Château Kirwan and Château Rauzan-Gassies represent two Margaux offerings at £174/case of 6 and £227/case of 6 respectively, where the nod has to be given to Kirwan here with a very strong price going even below our recommended buy price.
08.05.24 – 10.05.24: With a French holiday on both 8th and 9th the campaign will now pause until Monday 13th when many wines are expected.
07.05.24: With the Mouton stable yesterday, and Wednesday through Friday looking barren on the releases front, today has been busy, if not lucrative. One of the bigger names of St Emilion – Angelus – came out is out this morning, at £1560 per 6bts. Whilst a decrease (27%) on last year, it still doesn’t get near to our desired pricing range. Angelus’ second wine, Le Carillon de l‘Angelus (£396 per 6bts), is out as well alongside Chasse-Spleen (£250 per 12 bts). Neither were on our pre-order sheet.
Lafon Rochet – £165 per 6 bts – is now available too. We liked the wine a lot (17.5-18) and it falls into our pricing parameters at the top end – one to buy at the value end! Other releases see Haut Batailley now available at £216 per 6bts – the price is indifferent and sadly falls outside our ‘fair price’ bracket. Cantemerle at £121 per 6 bts completes the picture.
06.05.24: An unorthodox bank holiday release today, but one that will make a splash. Following Château Lafite with compelling prices, Château Mouton Rothschild 2023 is another that will generate a lot of interest. At £1,017/case of 3 this sees a 35% reduction on the release price from last year and happily falls into the middle of our recommended buying price, meaning a selling price which is the lowest priced vintage in the market. Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is available at an arguably more impressive reduction of £822/case of 6, meaning it is below our recommended buy price window and comfortably the least expensive vintage available. Château Clerc Milon makes it three in a row with pricing falling into our fair price guidance, but unfortunately d’Armailhac breaks the pattern.
03.05.24: Today feels it will be relatively quiet on the release front, but we have had Talbot and La Lagune come out. Talbot is ok on its price, pretty much coming in at the joint cheapest vintage in the market but slightly above our recommended buy price. When you factor in storage and age, it may deter, but for those that like this classical St Julien it is worth continuing. For the adventurous, Talbot’s white is available too, and given the strength of 2023 dry whites, it is a fun option to explore. La Lagune’s price is at the bottom end of our recommended buy price range at £165/6 and as such, is less expensive or level with every vintage except 2021. If you are a left bank value hunter, this is one to net.
02.05.24: This morning’s releases have picked up the baton from Tuesday and offer further excitement! We must commend Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) for their release price of both Carruades de Lafite and Château Lafite, coming out at £465/3 and £1,230/3 respectively. Carruades’ release price is less than the 2019’s! An extremely compelling buy at this price, which is significantly below all recent vintages, making this a must for those who are a fan of Lafite’s second wine. The grand vin has followed suit, offering great appeal too – rated highly by us and the lowest-priced vintage in the market. We anticipate it will fly. Not quite making it a full house are Duhart-Milon and L’Evangile which, at £340/6 and £948/6 respectively, see most vintages available for less in the market.
01.05.24: A pause in releases today as it is a public holiday in France.
30.04.24: In a move that must be applauded (and we hope is followed!) Second growth Léoville Las Cases has reduced their price by 40% from last year, therefore at the same price as they released their 2019. It is now available at £831 per 6btls. Those wanting to pick up a classic “Las Cases” that will repay cellaring are advised to do so. Also available from the same (Delon) stable on the left bank are Clos du Marquis at £231 per 6btls, Le Petit Lion de Las Cases at £216 per 6btls and Potensac at £90 per 6 btls. On the right bank Delon own Nenin in Pomerol which is released at £288 per 6 btls but we feel we can offer better value later in the campaign with many other great Pomerols.
As expected, we now have Pontet Canet, they have reduced their price by 30%, but this still leaves it above almost every equivalent recent vintage so only a buy to keep a vertical going…
29.04.24: This promises to be a busy week of releases (excepting a French national holiday on the 1st). Today sees a flood of Sweet wines – Sauternes, Barsac etc. We will wait until all of these wines are released and then offer those we feel most compelling later on. In addition to this we have Batailley at £162 IB per 6 bottles. We scored the wine 17+ but do not usually offer so did not include it in our pre-order form. Please make contact to order.
26.04.24: Bordeaux 2023 officially starts with habitual early bird Château Angludet, whose handsome price makes it a buy for us. We loved this wine in 2023 and feel there is good value here when you look at older vintages: it fell within our recommended pre-order price suggestion. One not to miss if you’re a regular and one to definitely consider if not. A great weekday claret in the making!
04.06.24: There has been a flurry of releases today, seeing Rouget, Pichon Baron, Giscours, Pavie and the wines of the late Denis Durantou come out. Unfortunately, the majority are rather underwhelming and lacking appeal, due to the prices of older vintages available. Rouget is our pick of the day, as it is a wine we rated strongly at 17.5-18, has gone from strength to strength over the last 6 years and with the changes implemented during this time, offers an excellent and elegant Pomerol. Pichon Baron isn’t particularly compelling, but if you’re an avid fan, buying a case now is a definite consideration. The Durantou wines are often popular, especially at the lower end with their fine value efforts of Saintayme, Les Cruzelles, Le Chenade & Montlandrie, but their flagship of L’Eglise-Clinet may stumble at £627/3. However, it will get some attention as it is a potential 100-point wine from Neal Martin.
3.06.24: Bordeaux ‘23 returns with a flurry of renowned names today, with Pichon Lalande blazing the way in both quality and price. At £660/6 IB it is released lower than our recommended buy price and is one of the wines of the vintage for many who tried it. We scored the wine 18/20 and at this price, it is very much a compelling purchase and one to buy if you can. Only the much lesser vintages of 2017, 2013-2011 are available for less. It mostly sold out to pre-orders, but please enquire should you be interested in a case.
The other properties to have released alongside are Château Palmer, Château Branaire Ducru and Château Phelan-Segur at £1,440, £193 & £186 per 6, respectively. Palmer has continued in its pattern of stubbornness and is only a purchase for those avid fans of the estate. Branaire and Phelan will give you some serious depth and refinement for their prices, however it irks that you can buy the 2020 & 2019 for less. Coming over our recommended purchase price by only a handful of pounds, you may want to consider these two as they show class.
31.05.24: To bring a quiet week of releases from the “place de Bordeaux” (VinExpo in Hong Kong saw to that) we have the gem that is Chateau Rocheyron, Peter Sisseck’s St.Emilion star. Since the inaugural release in 2010 this has been incrementally improving with 2023 possibly a new peak. Don’t just believe us, the press agree…
23.05.24: The releases continue apace today with a number of wines that provide great medium-term drinking enjoyment across a range of appellations: Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac), Cantenac-Brown (Margaux), Lagrange (St-Julien) and La Gaffelière (St-Émilion). At £195/6 Cantenac-Brown represents a delicious Margaux and falls within our price range, £270/6 for La Gaffelière means it is a compellingly priced St-Émilion. The big name release of the day is undoubtedly Grand-Puy-Lacoste but at £273/6 it does not quite show the reduction in price we were hoping for. Nevertheless, Xavier and Emeline Borie produce elegant Pauillacs year on year and 2023 is no exception. We scored it highly and lovers of the estate should be confident in buying a wine that has all the hallmarks of quality one would expect from this property. It should will age gracefully.
22.05.24: A gaggle of releases emerged this morning with a couple of rather distinguished names amongst them; Château Léoville Poyferré (Saint-Julien) and Clos Fourtet (St-Emilion), plus Château Canon-la-Gaffelière, La Mondotte, and Château Marquis de Terme. Released at £340/6 for Léoville Poyferré and £420/6 for Clos Fourtet, the prices for both stack up relatively well against the market (Léoville Poyferré arguably pushing the value argument further), coming in lower than the recent strong vintages, and having to look to the lesser and more challenging years to find cheaper cases. We liked both wines, scoring them 17-17.5, and as they both fell reasonably within out recommended buy price, we would recommend followers of the properties to jump in on the 2023.
21.05.24: After a break with a public holiday yesterday, we were hoping for another compelling release to re-engage with and Beychevelle has happily obliged! With a good track record of pricing en primeur, we were hopeful it would be one to get behind as we rated the wine at 17.5+, enamoured with its juicy vibrancy and freshness. Thankfully, it hasn’t disappointed coming out at £360/6 (the very bottom of our recommend buy price), making it the lowest priced Beychevelle of any vintage. The morning’s other notable release is Domaine de Chevalier, but unfortunately not at a notable price. Both their Rouge and Blanc enter the market as the second most expensive vintages after the 2022, even with a strong C&B score of 18, it’s not one we endorse.
17.05.24: A quietish day today with a public holiday looming on Monday in France. Château St-Pierre, Château du Tertre and Château Gazin have stepped forward where our attention has only been caught by one here… Gazin. At £291/6 it has made some real effort and comes lower than all vintages except 2021 & 2017. It’s a joy to say that Gazin enthusiasts should jump in here, after many taking a hiatus over the last 2 to 3 years. A quite serious yet generous effort in 2023.
16.05.24: A rather frustrating turn around this morning on the week’s positive momentum sees three flat, and even disappointing releases. Château d’Issan at £225/6 doesn’t make it much of an attractive buy, you can purchase many older vintages for the same or less (including 2019 and 2018!), we would even steer you towards another Margaux 3rd growth in Kirwan at £174/6. Château Pape-Clement seems to have snubbed the requirement for any type of significant discount in reducing by a mere 6 and 7% for the red and white respectively. Needless to say, the vast majority of older vintages are cheaper from 2020 onwards (bar 2016). For further disappointment comes Château Cos d’Estournel’s positioning, yes a 35% reduction sounds sizeable, but it does not translate into sense against market prices of older years – you can purchase 2021-2017 & 2015-2011 for less. Another lesson that the percentage discount should not be the focal point, but the specific condition of the market for that estate, and price appropriately. Cos d’Estournel Blanc we assume is having a total reposition, matching the same price as the red with a tiny 3% reduction, and all older vintages (including 2010) available cheaper. Bizarre.
15.05.24: The two renown properties to dominate today’s releases are Château Ausone and Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Both have positioned themselves positively, Ducru more so, showing that bit more willingness to come out as fairly as possible. At £440/bottle, Ausone is only 1.6% above the upper range of our recommended buy price, bringing it into the market at a pretty happy level (below the recent back vintages but more than the lesser years of 2011-2014 & 2017). It is an impressive Ausone and one of the higher scorers this year at 18 points. Ducru-Beaucaillou went even further, dropping below our recommended buy price range of £770-850 to £744/6, meaning it is below all vintages back to the 2011s-14s. Another big C&B scorer at 18 points. It is on the darker fruited, more structured and richer side of the wines this year, yet has excellent freshness to balance and reinforce this seductive effort. Jump in!Both second wines are available too, however we would suggest swerving Chapelle d’Ausone as it’s hard to find value... La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou however will bring ample early drinking fun.
14.05.24 (PM): The good news continues to roll out of Bordeaux this afternoon with the release of Lynch Bages 2023 and at an extremely commendable price. At £420/6 it is the lowest priced vintage of Lynch available, and this is for a wine we consider one of the best produced this year – Pauillac classicism at the core amongst drive and outstanding poise (18.5). We whole heartedly implore you to snaffle some, as we feel this is one of those releases you’ll look back on and think ‘that was a bargain, I wish I had got another case!’. Alongside Lynch comes a well-positioned Echo Lynch Bages (£155) and Lynch Blanc (£250) on pricing, the latter particularly impressive in 2023, plus an elegant Ormes de Pez at a very fair price of £105/6.
14.05.24 (AM): We applaud some of the pricing from the Clarence-Dillon stable, giving a few exciting releases to sell. Château Haut-Brion is particularly compelling, coming out considerably lower than we anticipated at £945 (3x75cl) and with a high C&B score, pitching it below all vintages except the lesser 2014, 2013 & 2011. A first growth of this quality at this price, it’s a great buy!! La Mission Haut-Brion is not far behind with its pricing idea, perhaps a little less of a draw, but at £555 a case (3x75cl) we feel it will warrant some of the attention it gets (only 2017, 2014, 2013 & 2011 are less in price). Haut-Brion Blanc has hit the ball out of the park at £1,635 a case (3x75cl), as for those loyal fans, this will be the cheapest vintage available. La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc did not follow suit at £1,305 sadly, with a smattering of vintages cheaper in the market (including the excellent 2019, 2018 & 2015). At the earlier drinking end, we give a grateful nod of the head towards La Chapelle de la Mission-Haut Brion at £270 a case (6x75cl), well priced and fine value compared to its sibling Le Clarence de Haut-Brion at £600 a case (6x75cl). There was not much between those two for us, quality wise!
13.05.24: It has been a busy morning, as it promised to be, with Cheval Blanc 2023 leading the charge at £1,170/case of 3 IB. Cheval Blanc is clearly one of the wines of the vintage, one we adored at team C&B (scoring it 18.5-19), achieving very high scores elsewhere too. The price is a touch above our recommended buy price for pre-orders of £1,050-£1,150, which is a shame, but most customers seem keen to proceed with their pre-orders. This price does make it more expensive than market prices of 2020, 2014 & 2012, but given the sheer quality of 2023 and the more recent years success of the team, one that is attractive to many still. However, Le Petit Cheval at £720/case of 6 IB seems one to ignore as it sits significantly higher than our fair price guide. Both Château Kirwan and Château Rauzan-Gassies represent two Margaux offerings at £174/case of 6 and £227/case of 6 respectively, where the nod has to be given to Kirwan here with a very strong price going even below our recommended buy price.
08.05.24 – 10.05.24: With a French holiday on both 8th and 9th the campaign will now pause until Monday 13th when many wines are expected.
07.05.24: With the Mouton stable yesterday, and Wednesday through Friday looking barren on the releases front, today has been busy, if not lucrative. One of the bigger names of St Emilion – Angelus – came out is out this morning, at £1560 per 6bts. Whilst a decrease (27%) on last year, it still doesn’t get near to our desired pricing range. Angelus’ second wine, Le Carillon de l‘Angelus (£396 per 6bts), is out as well alongside Chasse-Spleen (£250 per 12 bts). Neither were on our pre-order sheet.
Lafon Rochet – £165 per 6 bts – is now available too. We liked the wine a lot (17.5-18) and it falls into our pricing parameters at the top end – one to buy at the value end! Other releases see Haut Batailley now available at £216 per 6bts – the price is indifferent and sadly falls outside our ‘fair price’ bracket. Cantemerle at £121 per 6 bts completes the picture.
06.05.24: An unorthodox bank holiday release today, but one that will make a splash. Following Château Lafite with compelling prices, Château Mouton Rothschild 2023 is another that will generate a lot of interest. At £1,017/case of 3 this sees a 35% reduction on the release price from last year and happily falls into the middle of our recommended buying price, meaning a selling price which is the lowest priced vintage in the market. Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is available at an arguably more impressive reduction of £822/case of 6, meaning it is below our recommended buy price window and comfortably the least expensive vintage available. Château Clerc Milon makes it three in a row with pricing falling into our fair price guidance, but unfortunately d’Armailhac breaks the pattern.
03.05.24: Today feels it will be relatively quiet on the release front, but we have had Talbot and La Lagune come out. Talbot is ok on its price, pretty much coming in at the joint cheapest vintage in the market but slightly above our recommended buy price. When you factor in storage and age, it may deter, but for those that like this classical St Julien it is worth continuing. For the adventurous, Talbot’s white is available too, and given the strength of 2023 dry whites, it is a fun option to explore. La Lagune’s price is at the bottom end of our recommended buy price range at £165/6 and as such, is less expensive or level with every vintage except 2021. If you are a left bank value hunter, this is one to net.
02.05.24: This morning’s releases have picked up the baton from Tuesday and offer further excitement! We must commend Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) for their release price of both Carruades de Lafite and Château Lafite, coming out at £465/3 and £1,230/3 respectively. Carruades’ release price is less than the 2019’s! An extremely compelling buy at this price, which is significantly below all recent vintages, making this a must for those who are a fan of Lafite’s second wine. The grand vin has followed suit, offering great appeal too – rated highly by us and the lowest-priced vintage in the market. We anticipate it will fly. Not quite making it a full house are Duhart-Milon and L’Evangile which, at £340/6 and £948/6 respectively, see most vintages available for less in the market.
01.05.24: A pause in releases today as it is a public holiday in France.
30.04.24: In a move that must be applauded (and we hope is followed!) Second growth Léoville Las Cases has reduced their price by 40% from last year, therefore at the same price as they released their 2019. It is now available at £831 per 6btls. Those wanting to pick up a classic “Las Cases” that will repay cellaring are advised to do so. Also available from the same (Delon) stable on the left bank are Clos du Marquis at £231 per 6btls, Le Petit Lion de Las Cases at £216 per 6btls and Potensac at £90 per 6 btls. On the right bank Delon own Nenin in Pomerol which is released at £288 per 6 btls but we feel we can offer better value later in the campaign with many other great Pomerols.
As expected, we now have Pontet Canet, they have reduced their price by 30%, but this still leaves it above almost every equivalent recent vintage so only a buy to keep a vertical going…
29.04.24: This promises to be a busy week of releases (excepting a French national holiday on the 1st). Today sees a flood of Sweet wines – Sauternes, Barsac etc. We will wait until all of these wines are released and then offer those we feel most compelling later on. In addition to this we have Batailley at £162 IB per 6 bottles. We scored the wine 17+ but do not usually offer so did not include it in our pre-order form. Please make contact to order.
26.04.24: Bordeaux 2023 officially starts with habitual early bird Château Angludet, whose handsome price makes it a buy for us. We loved this wine in 2023 and feel there is good value here when you look at older vintages: it fell within our recommended pre-order price suggestion. One not to miss if you’re a regular and one to definitely consider if not. A great weekday claret in the making!