The sale of Calon Segur in late
June is starting to have an impact on its market price. Trade has been building
since the announcement, with September trading outpacing August: up 173% by value. Following the death of owner Denise Capbern-Gasqueton last September, the Saint-Estephe estate was sold to the insurance firm Suravenir, with Petrus owner Jean-Francois Moueix
taking a minority stake in the property. In expectation of price rises from its
new owners, back vintages are trading steadily. In April, Calon Segur 2008 (LWIN 1007475) was
trading for £370 per 12×75; recent trades have seen it reach £480.
The Calon Segur index, below, shows the wine successfully riding
above the market’s downturn even before its chateau was sold. Originally mirroring the Bordeaux 500, their
paths diverged in December 2011 as the 500 fell and Calon Segur continued to
climb. After peaking in April, it saw its price decline in the second quarter. The sharp upturn in August would suggest that the Moueix affiliation is
pushing prices back up. Although recent vintages are still trading at under £50
a bottle (excluding the 2010) its future releases may well not be so affordable.
