And they’re off! Bordeaux en primeur campaign starts

First out of the gate was Chateau Batailley 2024, released yesterday (22 April) at £300 per  case of 12. As Liv-ex noted, it was only 7.4% down on the 2023 release price and snow sits above the 2019 and 2020 already in bottle, and 13.2% above the market price of the 2021 vintage. As such, "this price might not ignite the campaign," Liv-ex noted.

This was followed today with the release of Pontet Canet, €50 ex-chateau or €60 ex-negociant, which will means it is being offered at a recommended ex-London retail price of £720 per case of 12. This makes it on a decrease of 9% on the 2023 vintage release price, or 33% on the 2022 - however it should be noted that yields of the 2023 vintage were down 35%, which may in turn boost demand for the 2024 at the new release price, even if it is  one of the more expensive vintages currently on the market according to Liv-ex. Meanwhile, Bordeaux Index  called it a "clear highlight in Pauillac" at last week's tasting, and cited Jane Anson's assessment of the wine as "one of the successes of the vintage", calling it "beautifully measured" with "a finessed, slim-style of Pauillac with plenty of ageing potential and quiet confidence. Also hitting the market today was Belair-Monange, which has been released at €117.6 per bottle in France - equivalent to around £1,207 per case of 12 (iincluding VAT). It is being offered ex-London at £1,060 for a case of 12, which represents a decrease of around 10.2% on the 2023’s ex-London release price. "At this price, it comes in as one of the most expensive vintages on the market," Liv-ex noted - requiring  to be rated "exceptionally highly" to offer value.