Bordeaux 2012: SHL and Pichon Baron

After close to a fortnight’s hiatus, the Bordeaux 2012 en primeurs have taken off again this morning with some big name releases.

Smith Haut Lafitte released this morning

Smith Haut-Lafitte and Pichon–Baron were the two biggest releases of the morning, both emerged with a 10% cut on their 2011 prices to €45.5 per bottle and €65 p/b respectively (all prices ex-négociant).

Smith Haut Lafitte’s white wine also released with a 0.3% drop from €57.7 p/b to €57.5 p/b as did Calon Ségur with its new owners, Suravenir Assurances, choosing to release at €38.4 p/b, a 3% drop on 2011’s €39.6.

The last round of releases on 2 May included Haut-Brion, Pontet Canet and La Mission Haut-Brion.

Since then a succession of public holidays in both France and the UK has stalled the campaign, a less than desirable situation given it is already proving an “uphill struggle” to fire consumers’ enthusiasm say the merchants.

There are still a great many wines still to emerge including Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Peyforré and Barton, Cos d’Estournel and Ducru-Beaucaillou from the Left Bank and Cheval Blanc, Le Pin, Figeac, Clos Fourtet and l’Eglise Clinet on the Right.

After what appeared to be a promising and early start the campaign is on the ropes.

Releases now must be swift and will require decent price cuts if this year’s primeurs are not to go out with a whimper as happened last year.

With luck too the Bordelais will resist the temptation to celebrate the end of the break by inundating the merchants in a repeat of last year’s fiasco dubbed “Super” or “Black” Tuesday.