Author Archive

We are around 65% through the campaign now – and we have received the first release of what is expected to be a big day.

From St Julien, Leoville Barton that historically performs very well on the secondary market, has been released at £325 per 6 pack, this is nearly 17% down on the 2018 release.

94-96 points – Neil Martin – there is a sense of completeness to this Léoville-Barton, certainly on par with the best vintages in recent years. A formidable yet charming Saint-Julien in the making.

96 points – Jane Anson – another hit from an estate that is making seriously great wine right now…

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

The big name to come out today is the illustrious second growth, Chateau Montrose from St. Estephe.

As you can see from the photo above, they have one of the most recognised barrel halls in Bordeaux.

Released at £602 per 6 pack, this is nearly 23% down on the 2018 release price.

This wine has received a decent score from Jane Anson at Decanter (98 points) – that is same score she gave Lafite.

We have taken our full allocation of this wine this year.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

Château Figeac 2019 Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B was released this morning @ £126 per bottle, down 30% on the 2018 release of £181 per bottle.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown awarded the wine 98-100 points and noted the alcohol level was 14.1%. (With the US 25% tariff on all wines with alcohol levels of 14% and under – this would make it attractive to the American buyers)

James Suckling awarded the wine 98-99 and added, “this is one of the most structured and linear Figeac with very fine tannins, yet at an intense level”.

Jeff Leve awarded 97-99 points and Jean-Marc Quarin – 97.

Figeac is expected to be upgraded to Grand Cru Classe A in 2022 – so the likelihood is the wines will become more expensive when this happens. Therefore, this looks like a good investment option at this time.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

First out this morning is very popular Chateau Giscours from Margaux with their 2019 offering.

The wine is being offered at £211 per 6×75, a 22.7% decrease from the 2018 release of £273 a case.

Well supported by the critics;

96-97 Points, James Suckling – “Lots of deep blue fruit with blackberries and grape skins, as well as tar and asphalt. Lead, too. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight with powerful, defined tannins, surrounded by attractive ripe fruit. Serious. Reminds me of the excellent 1975. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot.”

94 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter – “This is a serious Giscours, with medium intensity violet-edged ruby colour. High aromatics on the nose with cumin and cloves, followed by black cherry and cassis fruits that do a good job of filling the palate, and a cooling menthol finish as the tannins close in. Enjoyable overall, succulent yet with precision. Harvest lasted for an entire month, from September 11 to October 12, the longest ever at the estate and a reflection of more precise plot-by-plot work, with vines separated according to age and terroir. Thomas Duclos is consultant here as of the 2019 vintage. A yield of 44hl/ha.”

95-97 Points, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider – the wine “has richness and depth, while focusing on its purity and freshness. The long finish, with its fabulous lift and sweetness in the fruit keeps on going, long after the wine has left the glass. This is the best vintage produced in the long history of Chateau Giscours”. He also revealed that this was the longest harvest in the history of the Chateau.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

A great released this morning from First Growth Haut Brion in Pessac Leognan.

Released at an enticing price point of £295 per bottle, a decrease of 27.8% on the 2018 release of £408 per bottle in sterling terms.
It is also released at a closer price to the 2014 release of £193, that is performing well 5 years on from release with a market value circa 50% up.

We have taken our full allocation here.

Recent releases (per bottle)

2019 – £295
2018 – £408
2017 – £338
2016 – £415
2015 – £354
2014 – £193

Great scores and feedback from the critics:

The Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW released her assessment of the 2019 Haut Brion this morning. She awarded the wine (97-99)+ points, and said that “this is one of the most finely structured, tightly knit wines of the vintage. Given time, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it goes atomic and eventually takes top place for the vintage”. She revealed that “the estimated label alcohol degree is 14.5%”.

James Suckling (99-100pts) was also full of praise for the First Growth. He described it as “full-bodied with great, tight fruit, subtle and complex”, with “great length, going on and on for minutes”.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

Another positive release in the 2019 campaign today with UK favourite Lynch Bages released into the market.

Pleasingly, over 20% down on their 2018 release – and being 10% below the 2015 release, this looks like an excellent option for us.

This wine is coming out at £395 per case of 6.

Well supported by the critics as well – this bodes well.

97 points, Jane Anson, Decanter – This takes hold from the first moment and powers along, delivering a ton of black brambly fruit, liquorice, grilled cedar and Pauillac confidence. The tannins are pretty chewy, really closing in on the end of play, giving no doubt that this is going to age slowly and for many decades, but there is a creaminess to the overall structure that is already evident.

96-97 points, James Suckling – A tight and very focused young red with redcurrant, tile and blackberry undertones. Lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with very polished, creamy tannins and lots of intense dark fruit. Compact fruit and tannins. Structured.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

Exciting news this morning with the Mouton Rothschild release. This 2019 vintage is released at £299 per bottle, 30% below the 2018 release at £426.

This first growth is very highly rated by the critics –

98-100 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown
99-100 points from James Suckling
98 points from Jane Anson
97-99 points from Jeff Leve

This wine clearly comes highly recommended – with the significant 30% price drop and 20% down in volume available, this makes it a very exciting investment prospect indeed.

Petit Mouton 2019

This is the second wine at Mouton Rothschild and was also released today and is being offered at £1,764 per 12×75, down 16.9% on the 2018 (£2,124).

Released at this price level, this is the most affordable Petit Mouton; other vintages cost over £2,000 per case. As seen in the chart below, prices for Mouton’s Second Wine rise over time.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

Armailhac 2019 was released this morning at £372 per 12×75, down 11.4% on the 2018 release of £420 per case.

Armailhac is part of the Mouton stable and is a wine that is not overly influenced by critic scores – instead are influenced by age. As you can see from the graph below – many of the older vintages command a price of over £600 per case.

James Suckling scored the 2019 d’Armailhac 92-93 points, and described it as “full-bodied, round and ripe. Crisp and fresh at the end. Juicy and delicious already”.

Jean-Marc Quarin awarded it 93 points, while Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider) a similar range of 92-94.

This is a wine we like to have in our portfolios – as typically performs well. We have taken our full allocations of this wine.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

Cheval Blanc 2019 has been released at £375 per bottle, down 31.7% on the 2018 at £549 per bottle. The Chateau has also released 30% less onto the market – which makes it an interesting release option.

Cheval Blanc 2019 was among Jean-Marc Quarin’s top three wines, with a score of 98 points. Other critics are expected to release their assessments in the coming days.

Scoring a huge 98pts, Jane Anson from Decanter puts this among the finest vintages of Cheval Blanc.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com

Angelus 2019 has been released at £237 per bottle, down 7% on the 2018 release of £255 per bottle.

James Suckling scored the wine 98-99 points. In his tasting note he said it was “an extremely refined and sharpened Angelus” and added that it was “supple and minerally”.

Jean-Marc Quarin also scored the wine favourably, awarding it 97 points.

Today’s release is coming to the market above a number of physical vintages already available – so we are not sure this a great opportunity for investment.

If you are interested in finding out more about investment wine – please contact charles@waudinvestmentwines.com