N Korea buys massive stock of fine Bordeaux

The North Korean government has bought half of the 2009 stock of Bordeaux third growth Chateau Palmer.

The North Korean head of state, Kim Jong-il, is understood to have personally ordered the wine after sending a team to Bordeaux this week to taste the en primeur offerings.

The the government-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), made the announcement this morning, saying that the president had bought around 5,000 cases of the first wine and 3000 cases of the second wine, Alter Ego de Palmer.

‘General Secretary and Dear Leader Kim Jong-il has decreed that the wine will become the official wine of state banquets in the People’s Democratic Republic of North Korea.’

It is not known what price President Kim paid for the wine, although it is understood to be more than €300 per bottle – the same release price as the first growths for the 2005.

Palmer’s managing director Thomas Duroux said, ‘The president sent a personal message praising the wine. I gather that he is very keen to start a cellar wanted the very best.’

Chateau Palmer is a third growth but is considered to produce wines of at least ‘super-second’ quality. The 2009 was described by Decanter’s Steven Spurrier as xxxxxxxxxx.

Written by Adam Lechmere