- The number of white Bordeaux wines trading has more than doubled in the last five years.
- Château d’Yquem leads the way by both value and volume trade.
- Outside Sauternes, Pape Clement Blanc is the most traded Bordeaux blanc in 2021.
The dry wine of Château d’Yquem, Y de Yquem 2020, was released today. For the first time it is taking centre stage alone, as its flagship sibling’s latest vintage is not being released until next spring.
Sauternes occupies a strange place in today’s market for Bordeaux wines. Yquem undoubtedly carries enormous cachet among fine wine enthusiasts but the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac have historically struggled in the secondary market and many estates have introduced dry wines as well.
What’s the current overview of Bordeaux’s sweet and dry whites, therefore?
Market place
Year-to-date white Bordeaux has accounted for 2.7% of the total Bordeaux market. The majority of this has been Sauternes, with Château d’Yquem – the stand-out winner.
But there has been broadening within this small category, as its exposure has been growing.
The number of distinct Bordeaux blanc wines (LWIN11s) trading has risen from 58 to 227 in the past decade, having more than doubled in the last five years.
Sauternes
Sauternes has taken 62% of white Bordeaux’s total share by value. It has been led by Yquem (85%), followed by Rieussec (7%) and Suduiraut (3%).
Yquem’s most traded vintages so far this year have been the 2001, 2008 and 2009.
Yquem 2001 is also the most traded white Bordeaux in the history of Liv-ex. It boasts 100-points from three critics writing for The Wine Advocate at the time – Robert Parker, Neal Martin and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.
While its price has risen 56% since release, its anticipated maturity is “2010-2100+”, according to Parker. A wine that is bound to continue to deliver in the future.
Yquem 2001 Market Prices and Liv-ex trades
Dry whites
The dry Bordeaux whites, which have accounted for 28% of the white Bordeaux market, often offer high quality, affirmed by critic scores, at lower price points (especially outside the Premier Crus).
So far this year, Pape Clement Blanc has been the most traded wine, with the 2018 and 2016 in particular focus.
Both are currently trading below their release price, and there are plenty more opportunities at all levels: from Ronan by Clinet Blanc 2013 (£143 per 12×75) through to Haut Brion Blanc 2007 (£7,200 per 12×75).
Live Opportunities: White Bordeaux
