2011 Bordeaux Flurry of prices, despite most down 40% on 2010 interest is tepid

Good article which summarises prices over the past few years; http://www.blog.liv-ex.com/2012/05/bordeaux-2011-release-recap.html And here are a few comments from decanter.com Haut Brion is on a par with fellow first growths Lafite and Margaux at €360 ex-negociant, down 45% on last year. Its sister wine La Mission Haut Brionhas dropped 64% on the 2010 price, at €216. …

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2011 some promising wines but not exceptional: prices should reflect

Prices have not come down as much as buyers had hoped for in the  2011 primeur campaign. Some are pessimistically expecting 'Bordeaux to bomb' over the 2011 campaign. More prices set to come out this week but so far properties have reduced prices by a few percent only despite the big difference in quality compared with 2010. Parker has …

2011 Bordeaux Primeur my thoughts so far classic smooth wines…and Left Bank notes

For The 2011 vintage sorted the men from the boys. There are some lovely wines made at the top of the ranking but also by many petit châteaux. The key was to be reactive during the harvest and sort the grapes well. For those who were able to pick when ripe (despite the risk of …

Pomerol Bordeaux Primeurs 2011

My favorite wines from the UGC tasting at Beauregard - Château Beauregard; Silky smooth and elegant. Blackcurrant and cream. Château Clinet; Blackcurrant and almond stones, exotic notes of coconut. Very intense nose. Thick sweet and velvet on the palate with notes of sour cherry and freshness. Long finish. Château Gazin;  Sweet cassis perfume after agitation. Cherry …

Ploughing in St Emilion with horse power

'Surprise' the one tonne Pecheron horse at work in the heart of St Emilion during the 'primeurs'

Thoughts before the 2011 Primeurs Bordeaux

The record 25 to 30°C experienced in Bordeaux the last week or so means that the vines should burst into bud this week. The beginning of the 2012 vintage when most minds are focussed on preparation for the primeurs for 2011 that begin 1st April. What will the 2011 wines be like? At harvest many …

2011 Primeurs Bordeaux (3-5 April 2012)

Union de Grand Cru Tastings for trade professionals - Where? Château de Fieuzal : Graves, Pessac-Léognan Château de Camensac : Moulis, Listrac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc Château Marquis de Terme : Margaux Château Lagrange : Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe Château Soutard : Saint-Emilion Château Beauregard : Pomerol Château Kirwan : Sauternes, Barsac http://www.ugcb.net/ En primeurs week is fast …

Bordeaux Harvest 2011 in the vats; a good year for good vignerons but no hat-trick

2011 is going to be a good year for producers who have been diligent through the year and reactive during harvest. It will not be another 2009 and 2010 but closer to 2006 in quality. Some producers express relief saying that the market could not withstand another "exceptional" year with "exceptional" prices. The grapes have …

Hail hits Bordeaux vineyards two weeks before 2011 harvest is to begin

On 1st September a violent hailstorm struck both St Estephe in the Medoc and 30km around Branne/Grezeillac in Entre Deux Mers (including southern St Emilion). The storm lasted 20 minutes but caused devastation at its epi-centre with hailstorms the size of eggs stripping leaves and slashing grapes on the bunches. Here up to half of the harvest has …