Long-awaited Primeurs releases…

2011 First Harvest: The Calm Before the Storm 

The last week of May brought few new releases for the 2011 En Primeur campaign. Only Château Duhart Milon and the Carruades de Lafite were put on the market on the first day of Vinexpo-Asia; these two Châteaux, it should be noted, belong to the Château Lafite. It was the calm before the storm! Indeed, this week brings the highly anticipated releases from several castles such as Ducru-Beaucaillou, Vieux Château Certan or Léoville Las Cases have finally arrived, and within a few hours of each other.

A downward trend in wine prices?

The price decrease is confirmed for these First fruits of 2011 with this week's best student: Château Ducru Beaucaillou 2nd Cru Classé of St Julien with a 50% drop compared to 2010 and a Parker rating of 93-95. Vieux Château Certan Pomerol also played along by lowering its price by 47% (RP 94-96!). The latter was sold in just a few hours.
Other important outings: In St Emilion, Château Pavie Macquin (RP 92-94) and Larcis Ducasse (89-93) were reduced by 49% and 31% respectively. A Margaux, THE Château Brane Cantenac offers us a great 42% discount with a score of 90-93, and finally two great St Julien wines. Château Léoville Las Cases having a very good Robert Parker rating of 93-95+ and a decrease of -48% in its selling price. THE Clos du Marquis (90-93) only a 14% decrease.

 

Read our special article on the 2011 premiere release of Clos Fairies