Bordeaux 2013 en premier tasting underway

The Bordeaux 2013 en primeur tasting got underway this week with reports that chateaux, negociants and buyers to expect a short-lived en primeur campaign for what will be an 'early drinking' 2013 vintage. Even Bordeaux University's Vine and Science Institute issued a press release to say Bordeaux's 2013 vintage fails to meet the requirements of a fine red wine vintage, with uneven quality due to poor weather conditions.

There have been calls for the top estates to drop their prices, while several producers say 2013 was one of the most expensive vintages to produce - thanks to a combination of low yields and extra effort required to battle bad weather. Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac is one of the first to release its price at €60 a bottle which is the same as the 2012 price, but quantities are very limited

Reports also suggest there has been less interest from non-French wine buyers, with notably fewer Chinese buyers attending en primeur week.

The Liv-Ex fine wine index which charts the top 100 labels, fell for the 12th consecutive month in March, which is unprecedented and if the trend continues will see the index fall back to the lows of 2009.

So, its fair to say that the 2013 vintage could be summed up as low quantities, average quality and lower prices - certainly not an outstanding year.