Bordeaux: The Wind of Crisis
- JJ Carre
- Jan 27
- 2 min read
It has been quite some time since we last recommended buying Bordeaux wines.
The misfortune of many Bordeaux négociants struggling with unsold stock has become an opportunity for wine enthusiasts. Thanks to our analyses, buyers can find numerous chances to acquire some of the best wines in their appellations at "deflated" prices:
Below average market prices
Below their en primeur release prices
Below the average valuation across all vintages
Troplong Mondot 2018:
Available at £59 (exVAT), slightly below its en primeur release price and 26% below the average market price. According to our opportunity detection model, this wine—crafted in an exceptional vintage—sits 18% below the average value of Troplong Mondot across all vintages.
Valandraud Returns to the Garage!
As you are now familiar with our model of analysis, there is no need for lengthy explanations, as figures speak for themselves: the retail market (£115 exVAT) remains robust, but professional négociants have struggled to lift the en primeur price of this outstanding garage wine reporting high tasting scores.
Buy at £88 (exVAT).
A Blow to the Prestige of a Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’ from Saint-Émilion:
Finding this exceptional vintage at 10% below its release price (from April 2019) illustrates the collapse of the Bordeaux 'En primeur' attractiveness: release prices are no longer guaranteed to be cheaper than bottled prices.
Wine enthusiasts can acquire this Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’ for £212 (exVAT), a staggering 30% below the average public market price.
It is rare to see the price of an exceptional vintage dip below its en primeur release price. While the average retail price (blue curve) remains stable, the professional market price (red curve) is plummeting.
Buy Pontet Canet 2020 at £54 (ex-VAT), 13% below its en primeur release price.
These are just a few examples illustrating why it is now a good time to consider buying Bordeaux wines again. The region is being hit hard by the winds of crisis, allowing wine lovers to fill their cellar with unmissable opportunities.
Stop buying blind, read the market!
