Soaring releases in 2010

After a rather soft start, the 2010 primeur campaign finally took off this week.

 As shown in the table below, most of the wines were put on sale at prices as exceptional as those practiced at the exit of the
2009 vintage, despite complaints from consumers and critics.

For some, Château Durfort-Vivens made the event this week. Released last year at a price of €24.50 a bottle (wholesale price), the 2010 vintage was released at €31.80 (wholesale price), an increase of 30 %, one of the most dazzling observed to date (only Château Pontet-Canet has experienced a more impressive one).

Even if the Seconds Grands Crus saw their prices climb rapidly this year under the effect of an increase in demand in Asia, Château Durfort-Vivens was one of the few not to have benefited from it yet. Isn't this 2010 release a bitter reminder of its official status as a Second Grand Cru (unlike Château Pontet-Canet, which now bears the nickname "Flying Fifth", literally "Fifth wheel")?

Source: Livex
June 10, 2011