This year's campaign continues with vigour, with a number of new releases rounding off the week.
Cos d'Estournel 2017 has been released at €108 per bottle ex-negociant, down 10% on 2016. Praise has been high for this one, with Lisa Perotti-Brown calling it ‘truly profound’ and scoring it as a potentially perfect 97-100. For followers of Perotti-Brown, the 2017 represents an attractive buy in terms of Liv-ex’s fair value methodology, although fans of Neal Martin (94-96) might consider the 2014 instead, which has a higher score from the critic and is available at a 25% discount to the 2017.
Carmes Haut Brion 2017 has been released at €54 per bottle ex-negociant, down 4.3% on the 2016’s opening price of €56.40. At this price, it’s well below its ‘fair value’, according to Liv-ex, which notes that as it’s a widely recognised as a brand on the move, it’s likely to attract attention from collectors. Neal Martin awarded it 92-94 points.
Chateau Pichon Baron (93-95 points from Neal Martin) has been released at €96 per bottle ex-negociant, down 16% on the 2016 release of €114. Despite the drop, the opening price carries a large premium on the price implied by Liv-ex’s fair value methodology, so buyers looking for value might prefer the higher-scoring, discounted 2008 and 2015 vintages.
Smith Haut Lafitte 2017 has been released at €67.20 per bottle ex-negociant, down 12.5% on the 2016 release of €76.80. James Suckling awarded the wine 95-96 points, noting that it has ‘excellent potential’. According to Liv-ex, prices for Smith Haut Lafitte are 89% correlated to score. Based on today’s release, Liv-ex’s fair value methodology places the 2017 above the trend line, so those looking for value might consider the 2012 or 2016 for higher scores and deeper discounts.
Finally, Chateau Troplong Mondot 2017 has been released at €72 per bottle ex-negociant, down 29% on the 2016 release of €102. The chateau has seen a number of changes in recent times, following its acquisition by insurance company Scor last year. Unsurprisingly, this year’s offering has divided opinion among critics. Neal Martin awarded it 91-93 points, while Antonio Galloni gave it 95-98 points, calling it ‘easily one of the wines of the vintage’. Followers of Galloni will find good value in the 2017 based on his scores, but those seeking other options might consider the 2008 and 2012 vintages.
