Château Margaux was the final first growth to release its 2016 wines en primeur yesterday (although we still await a second tranche from Château Lafite – see our blog post on the first tranche). The price of €420 per bottle ex-négociant matched that of Mouton and Haut-Brion, and represents an increase of 9% on 2015.
The reception was very positive all round, with pricing and volumes were both considered to be expertly judged, with one member of the Place de Bordeaux referring to the release as “very professional”, and another saying it was difficult to imagine any problems selling the stock, and “we’d be more than happy to hold a bit more back if necessary!”
A particularly astute move by the commercial team at Margaux was the decision to set a UK RRP this year, which effectively served to negate the weak pound, by curbing any possibility for UK merchants to allow themselves a larger margin, as they had done last year (when they quite rightly judged the immense demand for the very well rated 2015 – Wine Lister Quality score of 988). This means the 2016 represents a relatively modest year-on-year increase of 9% in pounds as well as in euros, rendering the RRP of £432 per bottle more palatable to UK customers.
Margaux also kept the trade happy releasing at least the same amount of the grand vin as last year, if not a little more in some cases, with UK merchants still clamouring for more. The second wine, Pavillon Rouge, was up 20% in volume terms. Bien joué.
Bordeaux en primeur analysis of Clos Fourtet 2016, which has been released this morning with a UK RRP of £84.30:
You can download the slide here: Wine Lister Factsheet Clos Fourtet 2016
Today’s blog continues to explore some of the findings from the Bordeaux Market Study, by taking a look at global restaurant presence. A fine wine’s prestige and clout on the international market is demonstrated by its distribution across the world’s top restaurants, hence this is one criteria that feeds into our Brand score. (Remember that you can read exactly ‘how it works’ on our eponymous page).
As shown in the chart below, sweet white Yquem dominates: just as it did in the 2016 study (now available to all here). Next comes indomitable fifth growth Lynch-Bages – a wine that the trade has cited as one of the best-selling Bordeaux brands – ahead of all the first growths. Lynch-Bages has overtaken Latour and Margaux since this time last year. Mouton has also moved up the ranks, present in 52% of restaurants compared to 50% in last year’s analysis. Meanwhile, Gruaud-Larose is a new entry into the top 15, replacing Montrose.
This is just a taster of Wine Lister’s 48-page Bordeaux Market Study – subscribers can download the full report from the Analysis page.
Bordeaux en primeur analysis of Margaux 2016, which has been released this morning with a UK RRP of £432:
You can download the slide here: Wine Lister Factsheet Margaux 2016
Bordeaux en primeur analysis of Léoville Barton 2016, which has been released this morning at €63.60 ex-négociant per bottle:
You can download the slide here: Wine Lister Factsheet Léoville Barton 2016
Bordeaux en primeur analysis of Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2016, which has been released this morning with a UK RRP of £54 per bottle:
You can download the slide here: Wine Lister Factsheet Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2016
Bordeaux en primeur analysis of Cheval Blanc 2016, which has been released this morning at €552 ex-négociant:
You can download the slide here: Wine Lister Factsheet Cheval Blanc 2016
Today’s blog explores another finding from Wine Lister’s 2017 Bordeaux Market Study, released last month. The chart is taken from one of the final sections of the 48-page report, where we surveyed our 49 Founding Members, key players of the global fine wine trade – including merchants, auctioneers, and several high-end retailers – for their views on Bordeaux.
We asked respondents to list 10 fine wine brands from Bordeaux that in their experience sell consistently, year in, year out. Four of the first growths are featured among the responses, with Lafite and Mouton leading the way. Meanwhile, Latour is conspicuous by its absence, with less volume in the market since its withdrawal from en primeur in 2012.
Looking beyond the first growths, Lynch-Bages’ performance here confirms its formidable reputation amongst consumers. Giscours, Beychevelle and Talbot are also highlighted as producers that consistently sell well.
This is just a taster of the Bordeaux Market Study. You can download the full 48-page report from the Wine Lister Analysis page (subscribers only).
Bordeaux en primeur analysis on Giscours 2016, which has been released this morning with a UK RRP of £45 per bottle:
You can download the slide here: Wine Lister Factsheet Giscours 2016
Bordeaux en primeur analysis of Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2016, which has been released this afternoon with a UK RRP of £61.20:
You can download the slide here: Wine Lister Factsheet Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2016