From Nadia Schmidli
, at 04. July 2011 14:32
by Adam Lechmere, and Jane Anson in Bordeaux – Chateau Latour has finally released its 2010 in one allocation, according to reports. The last of the first growths to release, Chateau Latour came out at €650 from the chateau, €780 per bottle from negociants.
This makes it the most expensive of the first growths, offering a very small amount of wine, 35% less than last year, and in one tranche only according to some sources in Bordeaux.
The top wines have released very few cases in their first tranches and merchants are holding their offers as they wait for more stock.
Berry Brothers, for example, has not as yet released Lafite or Margaux.
Alongside Latour, which released its second wine, Forts de Latour, yesterday, come major releases from the right bank: Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Ausone.
Cheval Blanc is one of the most expensive releases of the year at €850 from negociants, 21.4% more than its 2009 price of €700.
But it is dwarfed by Ausone, which adds 17% to its 2009 price of €960 to come out this year at €1120 per bottle from negociants.
This – according to many in Bordeaux – is a record price for a first release en primeur.
Both properties were given five starts by James Lawther MW for Decanter, who said the Cheval Blanc was ‘sublime’ and ‘seamless’ and the Ausone had ‘huge ageing potential’.
In Sauternes, first growth Chateau d’Yquem is down by 22% at €420 ex-negociant:, compared with €540 last year.
Petit Cheval, the second wine of Cheval Blanc, is €165 ex-negociant, 52.8% on 2009’s €108. www.decanter.com
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