The Fine Wine 50 Index saw renewed momentum this week with Sterling dropping to a 31-year low against the Dollar. The index increased 0.5%, closing Thursday at 337.73. Trade by value and volume was up, but it was not a strong week for Bordeaux with the region’s trade share at 59.1%.
Meanwhile, this week saw the Burgundy 2015 En Primeur tastings kick-off in London with early consensus suggesting the vintage will be very good. Jancis Robinson said “the 2015 reds are seriously impressive – though for those paying in pounds they will also be seriously expensive.”
Activity for Burgundy was solid on the market. The region saw a mix of young and old vintages trade with Dominique Laurent Chambertin Vv 2006, Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2014, and high-value DRC Romanee Conti 1996 all finding the bid. Neal Martin has awarded DRC Romanee Conti 1996 a score of 99-100 and said it was “perfectly balanced.”
It was also a strong week for Champagne. Salon, Mesnil 2002 was the top wine traded by value and Verve Clicquot, Yellow Label NV was in the top five wines traded by volume. Other Champagnes that traded this week included Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon 2006 and Louis Roederer, Cristal 2006.
The value and volume tables were mixed this week with wines from Champagne, Bordeaux, Italy and Burgundy all finding the bid. San Guido Guidalberto 2014 was top by volume. Antonio Galloni said the wine, “doesn’t have the richness or overtness of most years, but it makes up for that with its understated, silky personality.” He scored it 88 points.
95-point Pichon Baron 2008 hit at an all-time high of £890 per 12×75 this week. This is 2.3% above its previous high of £870 it struck in July 2011 during the China-led boom. Robert Parker said the wine was “gorgeous” and “well-proportioned”, upgrading it from its original barrel score of 92-94 points.
Looking for weekend reading? This week, Liv-ex published a blog on Lafite’s premium. You can also view a Spotlight on Beychevelle and read about Vine’s 1,000,000th case.
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