2011 Bordeaux – Chevalier white and Red, Haut Bailly, Canon la Gaffeliere – and a joke

by Charles Lea

This morning looks like it might be a bit quieter than yesterday, with just three major releases, or four if you count red (£325) and white (£630) Domaine de Chevalier. The white has generated some interest in what is undoubtedly a very good vintage for this style.

Another major Pessac-Léognan Haut Bailly (£580) has also entered the fray, but although the prices for these reds are well down on 2009 and 2010, they are still above the prices of comparable older vintages and it is difficult to make a compelling case for any need to buy them now.

Also out today is Canon la Gaffeliere (£430).

Finally we have a release which I at first thought a joke, but apparently not. Malartic Lagraviere has released it’s 2011 red and white, at 27€ for the red and 42€ for the white. The négociant I was speaking to as I got the first email on he subject was able to tell me that he has in stock the 2003 and 2006 reds at 25€ and 23€ respectively, and the white in no less than four vintages, 2000 (25€), 1999 (22€), 1998 (22€), 1997 (20€). So this is obviously a screaming en primeur must buy. Sadly it illustrates all too well the extent to which the very high prices achieved in 2009 and 2010 have gone to the heads of those who set the prices.