Bordeaux 2009 fine wine prices 'are set to sky-rocket'

The wine critics have been unleashed in France's finest vineyards to sample the Bordeaux 2009 which, in the words of one expert, "is the most hyped vintage since the last most hyped one."

General consensus would agree that 2005 was the last "most hyped" vintage. And, while feedback on the 2009 has been resoundingly positive, many reviewers believe that Bordeaux 2005 still has the edge.

Tested on the palettes of some of the world's leading wine experts - including Jancis Robinson MW, Decanter, Anthony Rose, Jane Anson and Chris Kissac - broad opinion suggests that the 2009 wines have higher peaks than in 2005.

Bordeaux 2009 'will be a forward and
juicy vintage in the cellar' says one
expert

Yet some tasters have been slightly less impressed by certain wines from the Right Bank.

What's certain is that prices for the 2009 Bordeaux are set to sky-rocket, particularly among the high classed growths.

"Without the freshness of acidity that the 2005s possess (in harmony with their tannins), 2009 will be a more forward and juicy vintage in the cellar," observed Matthew Jukes, an expert at Quintessentially Wine.

According to Jukes, the 2009 wines will drink well after eight years, "but the Cab-dominant wines, like Lafite, Margaux and Latour will run and run."

Meanwhile, as the economy glides out of recession, more and more high net worth Americans and Far Easterners will be looking to get in on the Bordeaux 2009 action and acquire themselves an immaculate vintage.

Apparently Châteaux which struggled to sell their wines in the past are now struggling to supply enough wine for the ever-growing world thirst. So prices on even lesser vintages are on the rise.

According to the experts, collectors and investors are advised to check out the top vintages, while also keeping an eye of estates which have made exceptional wine but won't be able to push their prices up too much.

Another shrewd tip for investors is the range of Bordeaux 2008 vintages, "which [still] looked fresh, balanced and vibrant... and you should not dismiss them," said Jukes.

Matthew Jukes has kindly sent us his selection of the top Bordeaux 2009 wines with scores, which you can read below.