Above: top 20 auction volume performers by volume at auction progression (%)

Earlier this week, Wine Lister published Part II of its annual Bordeaux study, titled: ‘Waiting for a miracle’. Following our last post on 2024 release prices (read here), we now examine the Bordeaux wines that have seen the greatest increase in bottles traded at auction - an indicator of demand and liquidity in the secondary market. We use data from Wine Market Journal from sales by the world’s leading auction houses to determine the growth between 2024 and 2023 of the wines in our sample of 134 Bordeaux wines.

The graph above shows that global economic trends have had a tangible impact on auction activity, with all but seven wines seeing a decline in volume traded, for an average -38% drop.

Of the seven wines that did see an increase, Petit Mouton more than doubled its volume, albeit from a smaller base than the runner-up, d’Armailhac, which recorded an 85% rise to 1,587 bottles traded at auction.

Petit Mouton’s leading position echoes Clarence de Haut-Brion’s first-place feature in last year’s list, suggesting the rising prominence of second wines from first growths at auction, with Alter Ego also seeing an increase.

Left Bank occupies the majority of these top spots (14 wines out of 20), and Margaux takes the lead as the highest-ranking appellation (six wines out of 20), followed by Pauillac with five wines.

Purchase the full study here (in either French or English) to read more exclusive insights from the fine wine trade’s leading figures. Pro+ Subscribers can download their study for free here.