What’s happening in the market?
Burgundy gained trade share over the weekend, taking 26.4% of total trade by value, up from 17.2% last weekend. This was driven by trades of Domaine Ponsot, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2005 and Emmanuel Rouget, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, Cros Parantoux 2007.
The Burgundian rise came at the expense of Champagne, which dropped from 14.3% to 10.3% of regional market share.
Wines from the US also proved popular, with the region claiming 5.2% of total trade. Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2020 changed hands, however, Joseph Phelps, Insignia, Napa Valley 2019 was the top traded US wine by value since Friday.
Tuscany and Piedmont both saw a slight drop in trade share, going down to 9.4% and 2.4% respectively. Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri 2016 and Cappellano, Barolo, Pie Franco 2019 were the top traded wines by value from each region.
Today’s deep dive: Latour 2017 pricing analysis
Today, Chateau Latour Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 2017 has been released in the UK at £4,800 per 12×75, down on the 2015 release (£6,300 per case).
At this price, the new release comes above many of the other vintages available on the market.
Buyers looking for value may want to consider the 2008 and 2012 vintages.
Critics’ scores
When he tasted the wine in February, Antonio Galloni (Vinous) awarded the wine 96 points describing the wine as ‘a charming, relatively accessible young Latour that is all about finesse and understatement.’ Neal Martin (Vinous) proclaimed the wine to ‘utterly compelling’ and ‘superb.’
Earlier this month, Jane Anson (InsideBordeaux) gave the wine 98 points, saying that it is ‘a delicious wine, vibrant, balanced, [with] decades ahead of it, even if the soft sculpting of the vintage means it will be ready to drink earlier than 2016 or 2018 on either side.’
Lisa Perrotti Brown MW (The Wine Independent) also awarded the 2017 98 points. She praised the palate, saying it ‘is elegantly styled and mineral-laced, featuring loads of exotic sparks and velvety tannins, finishing on a lingering anise note.’
Fair Value analysis
Latour Market Prices are 85.3% correlated with Neal Martin scores. At £4,800 (12×75), today’s release falls below the ‘Fair Value’ line.
The 2012 vintage, with 97 points from Jane Anson and Neal Martin, plus 98 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, may provide a compelling option to buyers. The wine has a current Market Price of £4,476 (12×75), a 7.9% discount on today’s release.
The 2008 vintage, with a Neal Martin score of 95 points, is available at a Market Price of £6,900, a 10.5% discount on today’s release.
There are currently volumes of the 2011 on the market at £4,600 (12×75), a 5.3% discount on today’s release.
There are currently 512 live Latour opportunities on your exchange.
Les Forts de Latour 2018 pricing analysis
Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac 2018 has also been released in the UK at £2,000 per 12×75, up from the 2017 (£1,980 per case).
At this price, the new release comes above the other vintages available on the market.
Buyers looking for value may want to consider the 2009, 2010 and 2016.
Critics’ scores
Antonio Galloni (Vinous) awarded the wine 90-93 points in 2019. In 2024, Galloni awarded the wine 94 points, noting ‘the 2018 turned out beautifully’.
Neal Martin (Vinous) also tasted the wine in 2019 and awarded it 93-95 points. Martin notes ‘it’s a Les Forts de Latour you won’t forget’.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown (when writing for the Wine Advocate) awarded the wine 94+ points in 2021. In 2023, Perrotti-Brown awarded the wine 95 points calling it ‘classy!’.
Fair Value analysis
The 2016, 2010 and 2009 vintages, all received 95 points from Neal Martin, and are available at a discount to today’s release. The 2009 and 2010 have Market Prices of £1,800 and £1,900 (12×75) respectively.
The 2016 currently has a Market Price of £1,641 per case, a discount of 18% on today’s release.
There are currently 213 live opportunities for Les Fort de Latour on your exchange. Log in to view them.
In case you missed it
Here’s what we’ve been reading:
- Liv-ex – March market Report
- The Economist – Three big risks that might tip America’s presidential election
