‘There is no market’ for 2013 Bordeaux

There is no demand for 2013 Bordeaux whatsoever, admitted Lilian Barton-Sartorius from Château Léoville Barton, although buyers shouldn’t expect prices to fall for this year’s release.

“There is no market for 2013,” according to Lilian Barton

During a tasting of the 2014 vintage from Châteaux Langoa and Leoville Barton alongside the 2013 harvest, Lilian told the drinks business earlier this month that the market for the latter vintage was “lousy”.

Adding that it was the tradition to always show the previous vintage alongside the current release at Léoville Barton, she then said, “Quite honestly, there is no market for 2013.”

While she reported that she had sold “all the Léoville”, she admitted that the négociants were probably sitting on the stock, adding, “I’m not saying that it is sold right to the end”.

Nevertheless, she also said that buyers shouldn’t expect prices to fall for 2014 Bordeaux.

“Those hopeful people who think that prices will be coming down to 2008 can think again,” she stated, before asking, “Do my staff want to have the salary they had in 2008?”

But, she ruled out the likelihood of even a small price drop for the majority of properties.

“I can’t see anyone coming down in price – 2014 is a better vintage,” she stated.

Furthermore, she said that it was vital for prices to increase among certain estates that aren’t famous cru classé châteaux.

“There are some very good Cru Bourgeois hovering at ridiculously low prices, which, if they don’t come up, won’t survive,” she said. Continuing, she warned, “If they don’t take advantage of this better crop and come up in price by even 50 cents, then they won’t be around in the future.”