Bordeaux 2009 and the Rise and Rise of Fine Wine Prices

During the last 12 months fine wine prices have risen by 31.8% and 6.1% in April according to the Liv-ex Fine Wine Index. In addition the market is up 18.6% during 2010. The rises are concentrated in the big names: Latour, Margaux, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Ausone, Petrus, Haut Brion, Lafleur, Palmer and Le Pin. Although there are some wines the critics have found favour with also appearing amongst the winners: Conseillante, Eglise Clinet, Trotanoy, Rauzan Segal and Leoville Las Cases.

Interestingly enough the prices will be fuelled by what Robert Parker has to say about the 2009 Bordeaux. Many critics feel that it could be one of the greatest vintages of all time. Ranking alongside 1959 and 1982. Parker commented that he considered the left bank (Medoc) to be the finest vintage he had ever tasted. He went onto say " I have never tasted such powerful and concentrated Medocs.......the overall style of this vintage is one of opulent, voluptuous textures with abundant fatness and succulence. In short, I do not think I have ever tasted such extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignons"

He does add that for the Right Bank "some profound wines have been made although the 2005 remains the vintage for reference" When you compare the Parker scores for popular chateaux from 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009, you will see that the 2009 comes out in front. This will be confirmed in 2012 when the final tastings are made. Many of the  top wines could eventually become 100 pointers. A total of 21 wines have this potential, with 9 wines given the shortest possible range of 98-100 points.

Many of the tasters who attended the Bordeaux Barrel sample tasting in April rated Latour to be the wine of 2009. Calon Segur was the tops for "value for money". Cos d'Estournel was the most disappointing wine. The vintage on average scored 96 (out of 100) Release prices are expected to be up 120% on 2008 and 6% on 2005.

Neal Martin also lead this voice to the growing chorus of approval. He describes some wines at the top end as "legendary" and a pure joy to taste. James Suckling judged 14 of the wines to be worthy of a perfect score.. Martin was slightly more reserved by deeming only three wines capable of 100 points: Lafleur, Lafite and Latour. Suckling felt that the 09's could eclipse the 05's.

It will be an exciting campaign with strong bidding from the Far East pushing up prices.