Jancis Robinson MW recently re-tasted the 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages from grands crus classés Bordeaux estates and rated the 2018s just above their 2019 and 2020 peers.
- Jancis Robinson MW has published new scores of recent Bordeaux vintages and found the 2018 and 2020 vintages ‘particularly promising’.
- Château Montrose and Château Rauzan-Ségla received the highest scores on average.
- All bar two of the 2018s she tasted are currently cheaper than their original release prices.
Bordeaux 2018 scored highest on average
Jancis Robinson MW recently attended an annual Bordeaux tasting in London, where 10 classed growths producers showcased their most recent vintages, allowing tasters a comparison view and ‘a useful window on to their progress’.
The 2018, 2019 and 2020 Bordeaux vintages were in the spotlight on this occasion. Across the wines tasted, the 2018s received Robinson’s highest average score (17.3), followed by the 2020 (17), with the 2019 coming third (16.4).
According to Robinson, the 2018 and 2020 vintages were ‘particularly promising’. She explained in her report that ‘at this stage the 2019s showed a little more acidity and less density than the 2020s – and the right-bank 2018s were marked by extremely deep colours and quite marked tannin’.
This goes against the prevailing opinion in some quarters that the 2019s are the stronger set of wines of the three, followed by 2020 and then 2018.
Château Montrose 2018 is the top-scoring red
Her top-scoring wine was Château Montrose 2018, which she awarded 18-points and described as ‘very long and complex […] all set for a great long life’.
With a current Market Price of £1,390 (12×75), it is 10% below its ex-London release price (£1,560).
Of the 2018s shown in the table below, all except Château Canon and Rauzan-Ségla have Market Prices below their original release level.
In her report, Robinson called Montrose and the 2018 Château Canon and Château Léoville Poyferré ‘particularly impressive’.
On average, Château Montrose and Château Rauzan-Ségla received her highest scores across their 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages.
Her scores, grouped by château, can be seen in the table below.
For LIVE Bordeaux 2018, 2019 and 2020 opportunities, click here.
Find out how the vintages compared on release in our En Primeur reports:
Bordeaux 2018 – A perplexing vintage
Bordeaux 2019 – The magic is back
Bordeaux 2020 – Back to square one
Liv-ex analysis is drawn from the world’s most comprehensive database of fine wine prices. The data reflects the real time activity of Liv-ex’s 530+ merchant members from across the globe. Together they represent the largest pool of liquidity in the world – currently £80m of bids and offers across 16,000 wines. Independent data, direct from the market.
