Why buy it?

There are three key reasons to buying En Primeur:
1) Want to secure volume where production is limited: Some wineries have very limited stock (e.g. Petrus). Most of the wines are traded in open market and command high premiums. Buying En Primeur ensures availability of stock and good pricing.
2) Want to secure low cost for wines expected to appreciate in value: En Primeur can be a great way to access auction grade fine wines at low pricing. For example, Lafite 2000 and Mouton 2000’s prices both increased 2.5 times at release (see graphs below).
3) Want to request odd bottle sizing: Some customers buy En Primeur because they want their favorite wines in a specific format – half bottles, double-magnum (3L), or imperial (6L).

Of course it is equally important to remember the risks of buying En Primeur:

There is always a chance that the wines may not be as good as its barrel tasting. On the capital side, the wines may not appreciate that much in value thus there may be opportunity cost. Needless to say, each wine has a different risk-return profile.


En Primeur are sold when wines are still in barrel maturation.

Investment Returns

Is En Primeur profitable?? For Lafite 2000, investor returns was 2.8 times (275%) for the en primeur buyers, and 25 times if the wines were held until today? Similarly the case for Mouton? En Primeur buyers would have made 2.5 times in two years and close to 12 times if the wines were held until today.

The 2010 Vintage

At the En Primeur tasting, many compared the 2009-2010 relationship to the 1989-1990 vintages. Which year is better?

Climate: Overall, the climate for the 2010 vintage is closer to the 2005 than to the 2009. It was an extremely sunny and dry vintage. In fact, up to August, rainfall was halved of that in 2009. The cool climate in August was the balancing hand, slowing ripeness and allowing grapes to keep their acidity. The results – a vintage that is rich and powerful in many aspects – acidity, alcohol, and tannins.

Pricing Expectation: From multiple conversations with chateaux owners and wine-makers, we expect 2010 to be at a similar pricing level as 2009. Reviews have been highly positive and optimistic. Grand Cru wineries describe 2009 as classic and excellent. Alain Vauthier from Ausone and Aurelien Valence from Margaux both described 2010 as its best vintage as far.

Many Favorites: Having tasted over 300 wines in one week, our favorites include La Chapelle d’Ausone, Pontet Canet, Palmer, Lafite, Grand Puy Lacoste, Leoville Poyferre, Smith Haut Lafitte, Haut Bailly, L’evangile, Domaine de Chevalier, Pavillon Rouge de Margaux, La Clarence de Haut Brion, Petit Village, La Mission Haut Brion Blanc, Vray Croix de Gay, Figeac, Pavie Macquin, and Leoville Lascases.

Our En Primeur Offering

The En Primeur campaign has already started, with smaller Chateaux offerings. We expect the Grand Cru En Primeur to start earlier this year, possibly in June.

If you are interested in En Primeur, send us an email so we can keep you posted on the latest offering. Many of our clients have used En Primeur to finance their wines for personal enjoyment. Contact our wines consultant if you want to learn more about En Primeur investment.

Last but not least, patience is required! It is trendy and exciting to buy En Primeur! But the bottles will only be available for shipment in 2013.