Bordeaux 2008: Leoville Barton sold out

Chateau Leoville Barton has already sold 85% of its production, having released its price this morning.

Owner Anthony Barton released at €23 per bottle this morning, down from €27 last year.

This is equivalent to around £330 per case in the UK, with neighbouring Langoa Barton at £240 per case in the UK. Within hours, the wines had sold out.

Barton told decanter.com 85% of production went on sale this morning.

‘I was fairly confident that we would sell okay, but no idea that we would get the reaction that we have.’

One negociant, Barton said, said he had had requests for 500 extra cases, ‘but everything has already gone.’

Chateau Gruaud Larose, also in Saint Julien, also released the whole of its production today, at €19.50 (down from €24 in 2007), which is equivalent to £280 per case in the UK.

But there are expectations that other chateaux may have a different strategy.

Chateau Angelus released around 60% of its wine last week, but several other properties, such as Cos d’Estournel, have spoken about releasing just very small quantities on to the market.

‘The theory seems to be they will offer headline prices that re-establish goodwill towards Bordeaux, but to release in tiny quantities and to only make the wines available to those who bought during the 2007 campaign,’ suggested one well placed courtier, who did not wish to be named.

Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux