- Cheval Blanc 2020 has already created demand in the secondary market as En Primeur releases become more frequent.
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW and Jeff Leve released their scores and reports on the new vintage.
- Bordeaux trade by value has declined from its high in April, while Champagne, Burgundy and Italy trade remains strong.
Cheval Blanc 2020 started the 2020 EP campaign, releasing last Monday at £4,656 per case. This was up 3.5% from the 2019’s release, but 14% less than the 2019’s current Market Price.
With a score of 99 from Jean-Marc Quarin and 99 from Jane Anson, the new release trailed the 100-point 2018 in critical reception but was available for almost £1,000 less per dozen.
It is no surprise then that the first Bordeaux 2020 to find activity on the secondary market is the 2020 Cheval Blanc.
This week’s releases round-up
Château Coutet 2020 released first this week with an international offering equal to last year. Château Angélus 2020 came soon after but at a premium to its 2019. The release prompted interest in back vintages which saw trade in the 2005, 2009, 2010 2015, 2016 and 2018 through the week.
Château Léoville Barton, Château Langoa Barton, Pavie Decesse, Monbousquet, and Pavie all released mid-week. Release prices ranged from a 3% discount on the 2019 for Pavie 2020 to a 16% increase on 2019 for Léoville Barton 2020.
The biggest jump in price so far this campaign came from Suduiraut 2020, which released with a 20% increase on its 2019 release price. That same morning, Lafon Rochet 2020 also released, at a 3.3% discount to its 2019.
Finally, this morning Branaire Ducru 2020 released at a 10% premium to 2019, while Batailley 2020 released at the same price as its 2019. Both looked good value against their recent back vintages.
2020 critical scores
Jeff Leve and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW published their reviews of the 2020 vintage this week, issuing around 800 scores each. To see how the 2020 vintage is comparing across leading critics, view our critic grid here. To see our interview with Perotti Brown, discussing her views of the vintage, click here.
In the midst of new releases, secondary market trade followed the trends set earlier in the year. Bordeaux market share by value fell below 40% for the second week after a strong showing in April.
Burgundy continues to grow its market share, led by the high-priced grands crus from the region, although the number of labels from the region continues to widen. Italy has also seen a widening in the number of different wines trading this year.
The Rhône, USA, and Others, all saw little variation from their April trade share.
2018 rules the roost
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 2011 was the top traded wine of the week by value. It was joined by its 2016 vintage, although at a slightly higher last trade price. Neal Martin awarded the 2016 98-points, slightly above that of the 2011 (96).
The 2018 vintage was in favour this week as well, with Sassicaia 2018 leading trade for Italy and Château Lafite Rothschild 2018 leading trade for Bordeaux. The 2018 vintage is the top traded vintage across the overall market year-to-date.
Our Bordeaux En Primeur 2020 page contains everything you need to know about this year’s campaign. You can also sign up for our daily En Primeur email alerts using the form below.
