Over the last two years the Right Bank 100 index – a sub-index of the Bordeaux 500 – has been something of an anomaly. As shown in the chart above, since December 2011 it has risen 12.7%; the five other sub-indices have fallen between 0.7% (the Right Bank 50) and 17.6% (the Second Wine 50).
Angelus and Pavie (the two wines promoted to St Emilion Grand Cru Classe A in September 2012) sit within the Right Bank 100, but the rise is not due simply to them. Vintages of Clos Fourtet, Evangile, Figeac, Troplong Mondot and Vieux Chateau Certan saw substantial price lifts in 2013. So why are Right Bank wines succeeding against a backdrop of Bordeaux price falls? It may have something to with perceived value: 95 point Vieux Chateau Certan 2005 is available for under £1,400 a case, and 100 point Evangile 2009 for just over £2,500.
If the overall market turns in 2014 (a 1.4% drop in 2013 was significantly lower than falls of 9% and 15% in the previous two years), then buyers will be encouraged to return. Despite the Right Bank 100's outperformance, the wines offer relative value – and with production levels comparatively low, prices could move upwards from here.
* Scored out of 20 by Jancis Robinson – no Parker score available
