Archive for the
‘En Primeur’

Troplong Mondot 2019 has been released at £762 per 12×75, a decrease of 17% in sterling terms on the 2018 release of £918 per case.

Troplong Mondot is a Premier Grand Cru Classé from Saint-Emilion – and we believe one of the great buys of the campaign.

Neal Martin, 95-97 points. “It is a wonderful Saint-Émilion from Aymeric de Gironde and his team, more approachable than the 2018, to be frank, just a wine you are going to want to drink”.

Antonio Galloni, 96-98 points. “The 2019 Troplong Mondot is sensational. Rich, vibrant and explosive, the 2019 pulses with energy”.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, 96-98 points. “The pH is 3.55—pretty incredible when you consider the alcohol is nearly 15%! I hasten to add that from tasting, I would have guessed this was 14.3% to 14.5% alcohol. It is the kind of wine with so much energy it practically does pirouettes on your palate.” With this ABV, the wine is also exempt from the 25% US tariffs.

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

Haut Bailly 2019 has been released at £840 per 12×75, a decrease of 19.5% on the 2018’s opening price of £1,044 per case.

Neal Martin, 96-98 points. Describing it as “more terroir expressive Haut-Bailly that has an effortless allure and a sense of sophistication. Wonderful”.

Antonio Galloni, 95-97 points. Antonio confirmed that “elegance and sophistication are front and center in the 2019 Haut-Bailly”. He added that the “2019 is all about focus, persistence and simply exquisite overall balance. It is easily one of the highlights of the vintage”.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, 97-99 points. It is “just magic”. According to her, “the palate is achingly elegant, showing off perfumed black fruit layers with a firm frame of very fine-grained, silt-like tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with incredible persistence and fragrance”.

Jane Anson, 97 points.
Jeb Dunnuck, 96-98 points.

This looks like an interesting option for investors and we have taken a small allocation of these wines.

The last of the First Growths to be released this year has now come out. Margaux 2019 was released at £4,200 per 12×75, down 17.8% on the 2018’s release of £5,112 per case.

Neal Martin awarded Margaux 96-98 points – saying that this is “a beautifully proportioned Château Margaux, somehow “effortless”, fanning out nonchalantly with residues of white pepper and fresh tobacco on the finish. Outstanding.”

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW rated the wine 97-100 points. She revealed that “the 2019 Château Margaux is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, accounting for 37% of the crop. The alcohol came in at 13.9%”. Perrotti-Brown added that “the medium-bodied palate quivers with energy, emitting loads of mineral sparks, featuring bold freshness and fantastically ripe, finely grained tannins to support the delicate, perfumed layers, finishing very long and wonderfully poised. The juxtaposition between the acidity and the richness in this Château Margaux is just extraordinary!”

Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine the same range of 97-100 points, calling it “a quintessential Château Margaux”.

The wine also received 98 points from Jane Anson, according to whom “this is close in character to the 2009 or 2015, two exceptional vintages at Margaux and classic to the graceful yet concentrated signature of the property”.

We have taken our full allocation of Margaux this year – as well as Pavillon Rouge below.

Pavillon Rouge 2019

Pavillon Rouge was released at £1500 per 12×75, a 16.2% decrease from the 2018 opening price of £1790 a case.

Well regarded by the critics, the second wines of the First Growths are very sort after on the secondary market and we have taken our full allocation here.

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

Another big release this morning, with Chateau Ausone from St Emilion playing their hand.

Being released at £2640 per 6 pack, down nearly 25% on the 2018 release.

Looking back, the 2019 is also released at a lower price than the 2015 wine, that is currently performing favourably at nearly 18% up.

In comparison to the 2009 and 2010 releases, this 2019 looks like a good opportunity to snap up a Bordeaux powerhouse.

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

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