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Château Lafite Rothschild en primeur history – Decanter

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Chris Mercer

June 12, 2021

This famous Bordeaux first growth has admirers around the world, and it won’t be a surprise to see Château Lafite Rothschild en primeur wines near the summit of critics’ rankings in most vintages. 

Here is a summary of Jane Anson’s scores and tasting notes going back to 2016, including the recently tasted Lafite Rothschild 2020 en primeur sample, plus release prices.

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<h2>Lafite Rothschild en primeur scores</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-1er-cru-classe-2020-48277" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Lafite 2020</strong></a>: <strong>97</strong> points</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-1er-cru-classe-2019-39379" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Lafite 2019</strong></a>: <strong>98</strong> points</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-1er-cru-classe-2018-29262" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Lafite 2018</strong></a>: 99 points | Latest in-bottle score: <strong>98</strong>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-1er-cru-classe-2017-20571"><strong>Lafite 2017</strong></a>: 98 points | Latest in-bottle score: <strong>97</strong>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-1er-cru-classe-2016-10958"><strong>Lafite 2016</strong></a>: 99 points | Latest in-bottle score: <strong>100</strong>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Lafite 2016 has been the highest-scoring <em>grand vin</em> from the famous Pauillac first growth&#8217;s last five vintages, although neither the 2019 nor 2020 wines have yet been tasted after bottling.</p>
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<p>Of the 2020 en primeur wine, Anson praised the &#8216;incredibly fine, gentle richness to the tannins&#8217;.</p>
<p>She added; &#8216;Impressive that even in dry vintages like 2020 with the real concerns over global warming, the top Bordeaux estates can still produce wines of this quality.&#8217;</p>
<p>These scores above also show the potential for ratings to be tweaked between en primeur barrel samples and the in-bottle tastings that normally take place around 18 months later.</p>
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<p>Lafite is the<strong><a href="https://www.decanter.com/learn/vintage-guides/en-primeur/bordeaux/bordeaux-2020/lafite-rothschild-2020-release-this-should-soar-459972/"> first of the first growths to release its 2020 price, releasing its wine at a price that ‘should soar’.</a></strong></p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">Lafite Rothschild en primeur prices: Recent vintages</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Data: Jane Anson&#8217;s last rating of the wine, with <strong><a href="https://www.liv-ex.com/news-insights/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">prices sourced from Liv-ex</a></strong> on 1 June 2021.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lafite 2020</strong> (97 points): Ex-Bordeaux €475 per bottle | Ex-London<strong> £5,880</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lafite 2019</strong> (98): Ex-Bordeaux €396 per bottle | Ex-London <strong>£5,112</strong> (12x 75cl in bond) | Current price: <strong>£5,400 </strong>($7,657)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lafite 2018</strong> (98): Ex-Bordeaux €470 | Ex-London <strong>£6,000</strong> |</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Current price: <strong>£6,794 </strong>($9,634)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lafite 2017</strong> (97): Ex-Bordeaux €420| Ex-London <strong>£4,870</strong> |</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Current price: <strong>£5,292 </strong>($7,504)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lafite 2016</strong> (100): Ex-Bordeaux €455 | Ex-London <strong>£5,112</strong> |</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Current price: <strong>£7,350</strong> ($10,422)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">See also: <a href="https://www.decanter.com/learn/bordeaux-wine-investment-20-years-438877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Bordeaux wine investment &#8211; 20 years of hits and misses</strong></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Prices may vary and are published for informational purposes only. This does not constitute investment advice. </em></p>
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<h3>Lafite wine style: &#8216;Never trying too hard to impress&#8217;</h3>
<p>Despite Lafite&#8217;s superstar status and luxury credentials, &#8216;it can be something of a surprise when you open a bottle to realise that the wine itself never likes to shout its arrival, or try too hard to impress&#8217;, wrote Jane Anson in <strong><a href="https://www.decanter.com/premium/bordeaux-first-growths-439307/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a profile of the Bordeaux first growths last year</a></strong>.</p>
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<p>&#8216;I can’t think of another property in Bordeaux that you can cellar with greater confidence – and I mean not just for decades but for a century or more, fully expecting that it will still be fragrant and mouthwatering when you finally get round to drinking it,&#8217; Anson wrote.</p>
<p>&#8216;Lafite tends not to have the inky depths of some Pauillacs when young, certainly not compared to Mouton or Latour, and it goes for complexity and nuance, for mouthwatering brilliance that steals up on you and takes you by surprise.&#8217;</p>
<h3>Lafite at a glance</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Vineyards</strong>: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot</li>
<li>
<strong>Owner</strong>: Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) since 1868. Saskia de Rothschild took over from her father Baron Eric in 2018.</li>
<li>
<strong>Technical director</strong>, Eric Kohler; MD, Jean-Guillaume Prats; consultant, Eric Boissenot.</li>
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Lafite Rothschild en primeur and in-bottle tasting notes

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The Pauillac domaine is one of a quartet of châteaux from Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) to confirm their 2020 release prices today (11 June), alongside second wine Carruades de Lafite, L’Evangile from Pomerol and Pauillac’s Duhart-Milon.

Lafite’s release price of €475 ex-négociant is up 20% on 2019, said Liv-ex, pointing out that it sits at a significantly lower price to the lower-rated 2015 vintage, which is €545.

An impressed Jane Anson of Decanter gave Lafite Rothschild 2020 97 points, saying: ‘The kaleidoscope of flavours and aromatics that Lafite does so well is fully on display, nothing trying too hard, a velvet texture to the tannins, where the cassis fruit, earth, crushed stone and graphite is held in from beginning to end.’

The international trade is offering the wine at about £490 per bottle, 8% down on the 2019, which has appreciated in value by 15% over the past year, said Wine Lister – which pointed out that the 2020 falls ‘well below’ the market prices of comparable recent vintages, such as 2018 and 2016. ‘This should soar,’ Wine Lister added.

Carruades de Lafite 2020 has been released with a UK merchant price of about £177 per bottle, with Anson praising its ‘ton of impact and intensity’, giving a score of 92 points.

‘As ever with this excellent price performer, the 2020 vintage comes onto the market comfortably under all recent back vintages available, and should be snapped up quickly,’ said Wine Lister.

Turning to Pomerol, Château l’Evangile has been released at €180 ex-négociant, 33% higher than 2019’s opening price, prompting Liv-ex to highlight ‘multiple recent vintages’ of similar quality, available at lower prices.

Anson awarded the wine a high score of 98, calling it ‘gorgeous’ and praising its ‘pristine fruit, silky with a whoosh of menthol’. She added: ‘It elevates over the palate, both dense and light, with blueberry and raspberry fruits, and pulses of bitter almond and honeysuckle on the finish that gives focus and spice.’

Château Gruaud-Larose’s release price of €57.60 ex-négociant translates to a merchant price of about £58 per bottle, about 4% above the current prices of the 2019 and 2018 vintages, according to Wine Lister.

Giving the wine 95 points, Anson described it as ‘a big-shouldered St-Julien, but with a wide nuance of flavours’.

Liv-ex suggested that buyers might like to look at the 2016 vintage as a more affordable alternative.

St-Estèphe’s Château Phélan Ségur has been released with a merchant price of about £32 per bottle, said Liv-ex, up 17.4% on the current market price of the 2019 – which it said presented a ‘compelling’ alternative.

Awarding the 2020 wine 94 points, Anson described it as ‘excellent stuff’, adding: ‘The austerity to the tannins works in this wine’s favour, giving a juicy grip to the concentrated blackcurrant and bilberry fruits without strangling them.’

Among other recent releases, DBR (Lafite)-owned Château Duhart-Milon is being offered at about £57 per bottle, 9.6% higher than the current market price of the 2019, with ‘several back vintages’ appearing to offer better value, said Liv-ex.

St-Julien’s Château Talbot – like Duhart-Milon, awarded 95 points by Anson – has been released at about £39.90 per bottle, 8% up on the current price of the 2019.

Finally, Château Rauzan-Ségla from Margaux, scored at 96 points by Anson, is available for about £66.50 per bottle, 11% higher than remaining stocks of the 2019.

*Article corrected to say Lafite Rothschild 2020 is at a significantly lower price than the 2015, not a similar price. 

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Releasing the figures ahead of World Gin Day this Saturday, 12 June, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said supermarket, shop and online sales of gin were worth £1.3bn in the 12 months to 27 March, up 30% on the previous year.

Flavoured gin sales broke through the £500m barrier for the first time, amounting to about 30m bottles and taking a 40% share of the overall gin market, with the WSTA predicting that this is set to rise further.

With pubs and bars only reopening on 12 April this year after long periods of enforced closure over the past 12 months, on-trade gin sales fell by 60% during 2020. Total gin sales in the year to 27 March just topped £2bn, the WSTA added.

‘Our latest gin numbers underline that reports of gin’s demise as the “go-to” spirit are wrong,’ said Miles Beale, WSTA chief executive. ‘Despite the on-trade representing many of our great British distillers’ “shop window”, and a great place for Brits to try new and exciting tipples, hospitality’s closure hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm to enjoy the vast array of gins now on the market.

‘Sales of gin have never been this high in our shops and supermarkets before – but this is encouraging news for our reawakening hospitality industry, too – some of these sales are certain to shift over to pubs, bars and restaurants.’

The current gin revival in the UK began in 2013, with renewed interest in the spirit prompting steady increases in sales over the next few years.

The number of distilleries in England has almost tripled since 2016, with the total number of distilleries across the UK hitting more than 560 in 2020, up from over 440 the year before.

Over lockdown, Argentinian wines, rosé and ready-to-drink cocktails were other areas that had significant growth, according to the WSTA Market Report. 

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Pauillac’s Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste has been released at €50.40 per bottle ex-négociant, and is being offered at about £50.60 by UK merchants, according to Wine Lister – 12% higher than the current market price of the 2019.

Scoring the 2020 at 95 points, Decanter’s Jane Anson described the wine as ‘enjoyable, powerful, concentrated – not the most generous of GPLs, but they have captured the essence of Pauillac, and it’s hard to resist’.

Wine Lister highlighted the market availability of the 2019 vintage, as well as the physically available 2016 – priced at a slight premium to 2020, but with higher critics’ scores.

Another Pauillac favourite, Château Clerc Milon’s 2020 wine is priced at €56.40 per bottle ex-négociant, or £57.50 with UK merchants, 11% higher than the current market value of the 2019.

For Anson, the 2020 is ‘powerful, a little austere, with tight black fruits that will benefit from adding flesh over ageing’. Awarding it 94 points, she said the wine was ‘good quality, [but] not as exuberant as some years of Clerc Milon’.

Wine Lister pointed to Clerc Milon’s 2019 wine – with similar scores and availability – and the 2016, currently sitting at about the same price.

In St-Emilion, Château La Gaffelière’s 2020 wine is being offered by the trade at about £48 per bottle, 5.6% below the current market value of its 2019 release, said Liv-ex, describing it as ‘good value for money’, although older vintages are available for less.

Jane Anson gave the 2020 release 95 points, lauding its ‘expert balance between power and finesse’, describing it as ‘just gorgeously juicy’ and adding: ‘This again proves why it is an estate to watch.’

Wine Lister highlighted the 17% increase in the price of the 2019 vintage since its release, adding: ‘The property’s upward trajectory and increasing interest from the trade could see good demand for this latest release.’

Back to Pauillac, and Château Haut-Batailley – now under the ownership of the Cazes family – has released its 2020 wine at about £39.76 with UK merchants, roughly 10% up on 2019. Liv-ex highlighted the ‘value’ of the estate’s 2019 wine, as well as the merits of older vintages such as 2014 and 2015.

The 2020 release is ‘an enjoyably sleek wine’, according to Jane Anson, who gave it 93 points and added: ‘This has an elegance to it that almost makes it more of a St-Julien’, especially when compared to sister property Lynch Bages.

Château Cantenac Brown’s offer of €34.20 per bottle ex-négociant is 14% ahead of its 2019 release price, with the UK trade offering it at £34.35 per bottle.

Anson praised the Margaux wine’s ‘signature gloss’, awarding the 2020 93 points and adding: ‘The austerity on the tannins is marked right now, but there is plenty of life ahead here.’

Wine Lister said the 2020 was entering the market at about the same level as the now scarce 2019. ‘Taking into account the high scores, as well as the future potential of this estate … this could be a Margaux worth backing,’ it added.

Among other recent en primeur releases, Château de Fieuzal’s 2020 red wine is being sold by the trade at about £25.30 per bottle, 12% higher than the 2019, while the Pessac-Léognan estate’s white is priced at about £35, similar to last year’s release.

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou’s second wine, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou, is being offered at about £30 by the international trade, said Liv-ex, some 11% up on the market price of the 2019.

Château St Pierre’s 2020 was released at €38.40 ex-négociant, or £38.50 from merchants – a price which Liv-ex felt was ‘a little high’, despite Anson awarding it 94 points and praising its ‘gorgeous balance of power’.

Finally, Château Gloria 2020 is being sold by the trade at about £26.40 per bottle, up 5.6% on the current market price of the estate’s 2019 vintage.

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DWWA judge profile: Alun Griffiths MW – Decanter

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June 8, 2021

Alun Griffiths MW is a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2021.

Alun Griffiths MW

Alun Griffiths MW is International Director for Vats Liquor Company Ltd., Beijing, a major distributor of luxury spirits. In 2013, he was drawn in to develop their wine offering and help them become a major wine merchant in China.

Having over 35 years of experience in the British wine trade, he previously worked at Berry Bros & Rudd as Wine Buying Director for a number of years.

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The 2020 vintage of Château Palmer’s second wine, Alter Ego de Palmer, is being offered by the trade at £606 per 12-bottle case in bond, according to Liv-ex, 16.5% higher than the current market price of the 2019 release.

Decanter’s Jane Anson awarded the 2020 wine from the Margaux property 93 points, praising its purity of fruit and ‘the gourmet touch you want in Alter Ego’, adding: ‘It’s a vintage where you can’t get away from the tannins, but here they have sinew and juice.’

Liv-ex noted that Alter Ego de Palmer 2019 – given 94 points by Anson – is selling at a 12% discount to the 2020, making it appear more favourable in price terms. ‘That said, production was hit again in 2020 by mildew pressure and the drought,’ it added. ‘Stock released is low and this is a wine which sees high demand.’

Pauillac’s Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse has released its 2020 wine at €24 ex-négociant, up 8.1% on the 2019 opening price, with the trade offering it at £300 per case, 8.7% ahead of the 2019 release’s current market price.

For Liv-ex, this makes both vintages ‘compelling’, while also highlighting the Pauillac domaine’s 2015 wine, available at a similar price.

Anson awarded the 2020 release 90 points, calling it ‘carefully made, with promise’, but adding: ‘This is extremely tight in its tannins, pretty austere and you need to take a beat to allow this to settle.’

In Pessac-Léognan, Château Malartic-Lagravière’s 2020 red and white releases are also being offered for less than 10% more than the current market price of the 2019s, with merchants pricing the red at £347/case – 5.5% up on 2019 – and the white at £432, 8% higher.

For Anson, Malartic-Lagravière’s 2020 red, scored at 94 points, is ‘one of the successes of the appellation’, thanks to its ‘silky texture and a finessed, fresh core that holds interest from beginning to end’.

She awarded the white 93 points, praising it as ‘measured and deft, and extremely easy to recommend’.

Liv-ex highlighted the red as offering particularly good value, noting that, while slightly more expensive than the 2019, it is priced at an 11% discount to the 2016, and 29% less than the 2010.

Among other new 2020 en primeur releases, Clos du Marquis has come out at €37.20 per bottle ex-négociant, almost 15% higher than 2019, and is being offered by merchants at £450 per case, 10% higher than the current market value of the 2019 – which makes the latter look like ‘good value’, according to Liv-ex.

Château Haut-Bages Libéral is being offered at £311/case, 9% higher than the 2019 release, while its €26.40 per bottle ex-négociant release price is nearly 16% up on 2019. Jane Anson gave the 2020 wine a score of 91 points.

Finally, tiny Margaux domaine Château Ferrière has released its 2020 wine at €27.60 ex-négociant, up 15% on 2019, with the trade offering the wine at £317 per 12-bottle case in bond.

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Come in, take a seat, make yourself comfortable. For you are entering into a realm of tequilas for which time slows down.

Stepping into this price bracket is to explore the world of super-premium tequilas, ones where the production processes and ageing techniques are used to make something a bit more special and justify an elevated price tag.

This might mean employing traditional production methods, such as using a huge volcanic stone wheel known as a tahona to crush the agave, or very limited-edition releases of liquid from a single barrel, or tequila made from genetic mutations of Blue Weber agave.

You will also find more aged tequilas at this more expensive price point too. Being aged the longest, añejo and extra añejo tequilas often command the highest price points, because barrels and storage space cost money.

Looking for a special tequila to drop your hard-earned cash on? Then look no further than this selection.

Best sipping tequilas under $100 / £100

Calle 23 Criollo

Made by Calle 23 distiller, Sophie Decobecq, to celebrate the birth of her son, this limited-edition blanco is made from criollos – a Blue Weber agave mutation that’s small and with a higher sugar content – and presented in a hand-blown bottle. The resulting liquid is rich, with earthy, vegetal agave notes, salt, black pepper, cooling mint, kiwi and distinct minerality. Alc 49.3%

Casamigos Añejo

Actor George Clooney and nightlife entrepreneur Rande Gerber decided to create their perfect tequila for personal consumption, and in doing so accidentally created a brand. The añejo is aged for 14 months in American white oak barrels, resulting in a tequila with flavours of vanilla custard, cocoa, espresso and black pepper, mingling with notes of roasted mango and tobacco tin. Alc 40%

Don Fulano Añejo

Made in Atotonilco, Don Fulano’s tequilas are unusual in the sense that it uses both column and pot stills to distil separate liquids and then blends them together. The añejo is aged for three years in new and old French casks. It boasts a delicate nose with a lifted florality that leads onto a velvet smooth palate of sour orange, cocoa powder, chamois leather, juicy blackcurrant, vanilla pod and dried chili flakes. Alc 40%

Fortaleza Añejo

The products that come out of the diminutive Fortaleza distillery are all excellent, but the añejo definitely had to make this list, given that owner Guillermo Sauza describes it as his ‘crème brûlée’. Made using traditional techniques, this is a banoffee pie of a tequila, with ginger nut biscuits, nutmeg and a sprinkling of sea salt. Alc 40%

Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength

The tiny Fortaleza distillery employs tequila production techniques and equipment from a bygone age. The result is a range of flavourful, artisanal tequilas that are even sold in bottles closed with handmade and hand-painted stoppers. This Still Strength tequila is bottled, unsurprisingly, right off the still. It has a rich mouthfeel that carries vegetal notes of roasted agave, green capsicum and asparagus, along with black olive, sea salt and lemon. Alc 46%

Ocho Single Barrel Añejo Las Aguilas 2017 Barrel Number 11

Famed for producing single-ranch vintage tequilas, Ocho also releases the occasional single-barrel añejo with a very limited production run. This particular incarnation comes from ‘The Eagles’, and balances fresh flavours with an obvious wood element without tipping into the dessert spectrum. Lemon zest, Granny Smith apples, bitter grapefruit, vanilla fudge and salt pillar combine on a palate that is simultaneously creamy, drying and spicy. Alc 54%

Olmeca Tezon Anejo

The Tezon range by Olmeca uses liquid that comes exclusively from agave that have been crushed by a tahona wheel. The result is a less efficient extraction of sugars, however the flavour profile of the resulting spirit is often richer, with more depth. Aged for 18 months in refill bourbon casks, it has rich flavours of butterscotch, orange zest and vanilla pod mingled with coal smoke and cracked black pepper. Alc 40%

Patrón Roca Reposado

Patrón’s Roca range is another brand which is made with agave that’s exclusively crushed by tahona wheel, as opposed to the mechanised roller mills that are more frequently used. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels for between four and five months, the reposado is a delicate blend of agave, honey, vanilla and coconut, alongside spicy notes of ginger and pepper. Alc 42%

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Barbaresco Riserva 2016 vintage report plus top-scoring wines – Decanter

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Aldo Fiordelli

June 5, 2021

Nebbiolo is properly considered one of the grape varieties with the longest growing season.

The 2016 vintage, according to the consorzio for Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, Langhe and Dogliani, ‘was certainly one of the longest-lasting vintages in recent years’.

It’s possible to see in this the complexity achieved by the Barbaresco Riserva 2016 wines.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for Aldo’s top-rated Barbaresco Riserva 2016 wines

Though the Barolos from this vintage won’t be released for another year due to differing minimum ageing requirements, producers are now releasing their Barbaresco Riserva from the 2016 vintage.

The 2016 season

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Aldo’s top-rated Barbaresco Riserva 2016 wines:

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With the climate of its mountain deserts, pure snowmelt water from the Andes and unique alluvial soils, Mendoza has positioned itself as a global leader in the production of organic wines. At the forefront of this green revolution is Bodega Argento – a member of the Avinea Group whose different wineries own 355 ha of organic certified vineyards – the largest producer of organic wines in Argentina.

Guided by a philosophy of continuous innovation, in 2012 Bodega Argento embarked upon a vineyard certification process that required the implementation of strict protocols to reduce carbon emissions at every stage in the supply chain, from vineyard to consumer. This was accompanied by a commitment to local communities enshrined in Fair Trade status.

Today, with 305ha of certified organic vineyards in Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Bodega Argento is setting standards for sustainable viticulture in Argentina. Its range of organic wines are enjoyed in over 50 countries.

Sense of place

A strong believer in the need to protect the local environment, Juan Pablo Murgia, head oenologist at the Avinea Group, is tasked with interpreting and bringing out the essence of each vineyard with his fresh, elegant wines.

‘Viticulture is dependent on the land, which is why sustainability is one of the pillars of our working philosophy,’ he says. ‘We take appropriate measures at every stage of the production process, using resources responsibly and supporting the development of local communities.’

For its organic wines, Bodega Argento harvests grapes from Alto Agrelo, 1,066m above sea level in Luján de Cuyo, and Paraje Altamira (1,097m) to the south of the Uco Valley. Both are regions that produce world class organic wines.

‘At Bodega Argento we are grateful for the fruit that nature provides for us, and apply painstaking winemaking methods that rely to a great extent on in-depth knowledge of the vines,’ says Murgia. ‘Each bottle is thus a superlative expression of its Mendozan terroir as can be seen in Argento Single Vineyard Agrelo Organic Malbec, Argento Single Vineyard Agrelo Organic Cabernet Franc and Argento Single Vineyard Altamira Organic Malbec,’ he adds.

‘For our flagship wine Argento Single Block 1 Organic Malbec, we selected a specific sector of the vineyard, where the alluvial soil is rich in stones coated in calcium carbonate, allowing for a very precise expression of its place of origin.’

Murgia’s efforts have clearly been successful: Argento Single Vineyard Altamira Organic Malbec and Argento Single Block 1 Organic Malbec were the top-rated organic wines from Argentina at DWWA 2020, with scores of 95 points each.

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Originally Appeared Here

Domaine de Chevalier 2020 red was on sale en primeur this morning (3 June) for around £565 per 12-bottle case in bond, with the white at £797. 

Decanter’s Jane Anson gave the Chevalier 2020 red wine 95 points, describing it as ‘easily among the best Pessac’ wines of the vintage. 

She also rated the Chevalier 2020 white wine at 95 points. ‘An excellent white with precision, flesh and confidence, sure to age well,’ she wrote.

Liv-ex said the red wine’s release price made it 14% more expensive than the current market price for the Chevalier 2019 vintage, also scoring 95 points en primeur.

The 2020 red is cheaper than the 2018 vintage, scoring 96 with Anson, but Liv-ex said buyers looking for value in back-vintages might wish to consider the highly rated 2016 vintage.

On an ex-Bordeaux basis, the Chevalier red was released at €46.8 per bottle, 18% up on the 2019 release price. 

The Chevalier white wine was released at €66 per bottle ex-Bordeaux, up by 14% on the 2019 release price. Liv-ex said the UK merchant price (ex-London) was around 10% higher than the current market price of the lower-scoring 2019 vintage.

There have been signs this week that the Bordeaux 2020 en primeur releases campaign is picking up a bit of pace, after a lull following the initial burst from St-Emilion estates. 

Bordeaux 2020 prices vs 2019

It’s very early days in the campaign, although several châteaux have increased prices to varying degrees versus the 2019 vintage releases last year. 

Whether or not a wine sells, however, can depend heavily on the scores and market dynamics of the particular estate, including the availability and ratings of other recent vintages – not just 2019.

Many 2019 en primeur releases, delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, also saw big discounts versus the 2018 vintage en primeur campaign.

Gazin 2020 released   

Over in Pomerol, Gazin was released today at €56 per bottle ex-Bordeaux, up by 11% on the 2019 release price.

‘I love this, extremely classic Gazin, which has depth and pep, and a jaunty feel to the black fruits,’ wrote Anson, who rated Gazin 2020 at 94 points.

Liv-ex said merchants were selling Gazin 2020 for £673 (12x 75cl in bond), around the 7% above the current market price of the 93-point Gazin 2019 and broadly level with the estate’s 94-point 2018 vintage.

Liv-ex noted that the 94-point Gazin 2016 was cheaper than the new en primeur release and could be interesting for buyers seeking wines already in the bottle.

Lafleur in Pomerol and Beychevelle in St-Julien have been among the major releases of this week so far, both highly praised for the quality of their 2020 wines.

Other releases have included Chateau Lascombes 2020, rated 92 points by Anson and being sold for around £600 (12x 75cl in bond), up slightly on the 2019 price.  

Ormes de Pez 2020, rated 93 points – equal to 2019 and 2018 – was released at around £225 (12x 75cl in bond), 7% above the current market price of 2019, according to Liv-ex.

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Originally Appeared Here