“The wines are outstanding quality, from simple Bordeaux to cru classe.”
James Suckling released his first scores from series of tastings at his Hong Kong wine bar. No wines tasted were able to match the scores he awarded to the 2018 vintage – three of which received 100 points – but with many big names missing from the line-up, a perfect wine may still be in the future.
Suckling complimented the 2019s on their comparable quality to 2018, although he admitted the 2019s had “less exuberance and plushness in fruit and tannins”, adding “the wines seem more typical for Bordeaux – which is a good thing”.
The winemakers Suckling spoke to, albeit across Zoom, compared the 2019 to the great 2010 vintage, “but without the austerity and intensity”.
The question of when these wines will release and at what price formed a conundrum. Suckling explained that many of the winemakers and merchants he spoke to in Bordeaux said “they will release prices for wines in June and all agreed that prices have to come down […] from about 10 percent to 40 percent”.
With the upcoming releases expected during unprecedented times, Suckling closed by saying “the market will indeed decide if now is the time to buy 2019 en primeur when the wines begin selling in a few weeks”.
You can find his full report and list of scores at JamesSuckling.com
Much more can be read about the intricate system of En Primeur in Bordeaux and how the region is positioned for the future in Liv-ex’s full 25-page 2019 Bordeaux report, made exclusively available to members.
