What’s happening in the market?
Bordeaux maintained its strong position from last Friday through to this Tuesday, holding 44.7% of total trade value. Wines such as Château Montrose 2017 and Château Lafite Rothschild 2018 are continuing to drive activity on the exchange.
In second place, Burgundy held 20.8% of total trade, buoyed by wines from Christophe Roumier and Domaine Armand Rousseau changing hands.
Tuscany is sustaining its momentum, accounting for 11.89% of total trade value. Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2018 is still actively trading, as are several vintages of Masseto and Sassicaia.
Today’s deep-dive: Which is the best Bordeaux vintage?
Looking at the performance of Bordeaux vintages from 2010 to 2018 over the last two and a half years, the headline figure is the 2018 vintage’s significant decline, dropping 12.4% since June 2021 and 18.4% since September 2022. The excess volume of younger wines at high prices in the Bordeaux market is a contributing factor to its demise.
The best performer among these recent vintages, however, may come as a surprise: the 2012 wines in the Bordeaux 500 have seen 12.1% increase in value since June 2021.
This surpasses the growth recorded by top vintages such as 2010 (3.2%), 2015 (3.2%), 2016 (1.5%) and 2018 (-12.4%). With an average Market Price of £2,917 per 12×75 (for the wines within the Bordeaux 500), the 2012 vintage holds a mid-range position among the nine vintages considered.
Despite its growth since June 2021, the 2012 vintage has nonetheless recorded a 9.4% decline from the market’s peak in September 2022. Only the 2013 vintage has outperformed it, as it is only 5.2% down during the same period.
Notably, the outstanding 2015 and 2016 vintages have seen a decline in their index levels by 10.7% and 12.3% respectively since September 2022. However, their overall performance over the last two and a half years remains positive, recording rises of 3.2% and 1.5% since June 2021, though this still places them towards the bottom of the rankings among recent Bordeaux vintages.
The best-performing Bordeaux 2012 wines
Three 2012 wines within the Bordeaux 500 have demonstrated positive one-year performances: Château Gruaud Larose 2012 (+7.4%), Château Calon Ségur 2012 (4.4%) and Château Angélus 2012 (1.3%).
Château Calon Ségur 2012 was initially released at £440 per case and currently has a Market Price of £940. The wine reached its peak trading value in October 2023, reaching £1,002 per 12×75. Over the past two years, the wine has risen 15.5%, and 17.7% over the past five years.
Château Calon Ségur 2012 trades on Liv-ex
Château Angélus 2012, initially released at £2,000 per case, has seen its price rise over the years, reaching a current Market Price of £4,430 per 12×75. In the first week of January, it traded at £4,246 per case, an all-time high trade price for the wine.
Over the past two years, Château Angélus 2012 has risen 10.3%, while recording a 34.3% rise over a five-year period. In 2012 Château Angélus was upgraded to Grand Cru Classé A in the Saint Emilion re-classification. To celebrate the Château’s promotion, an iconic black and gold bottle for the 2012 vintage was designed.
Château Angélus 2012 trades on Liv-ex
Bordeaux 2012 live offers
Buyers seeking to acquire Bordeaux 2012 wines may want to consider the following labels, all of which have live offers against them.
Château Talbot 2012 has seen its Market Price increase by 93.3% since its release price of £300 per case. It is currently offered live at £560 per 12×75.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2012 has increased 56.4% since its release price of £2,800 per case. It is currently offered live at £4,743 per 12×75.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2012 was released at £4,000 per case and has seen its value increase by 46.3% since to reach £5,850 per case. The wine received 95 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown and Jane Anson. Château Pape Clément 2012, which has risen 43.8% in value since its release, is also offered live at £800 per 12×75.
There are 200 LIVE bids and offers for Bordeaux 2012 wines on Liv-ex. Log in to the exchange to view them and trade.
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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 620+ merchant members from across the globe. Together they represent the largest pool of liquidity in the world – currently £100m of bids and offers across 20,000 wines.
