When Robert Parker talks, wine collectors and investors listen. If you're a regular reader of Paul Fraser Collectibles' wine pages or most auction house catalogues, you'll have spotted that Parker's opinions are cited regularly in the world's top sales...
More than any other wine expert, Parker's opinions - and his famous 100/100 point score - can influence how the finest wines will perform at auction.
So, what does he make of the 2010? Well, it's good news if you're a collector, enthusiast or investor with a vested interest in the 2010. According to Parker, the 2010 may be one of the "three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career."
That's along with the 2009 and 2005. But the quality comes with a price - and the prices of the 2010 are expected to rise by 20%. This could place them outside the realm of traditional buyers, which could see the markets become dominated by Asia's buyers.
As we've continually reported, major economic centres like China, Hong Kong and India are apparently where the future of the wine market lies. In his report, Parker questions whether Asia is buying wine for investments or consumption - but much evidence suggests the latter.
Parker's scores review the 2010s in their early stages. At the same time, he also predicts "astonishing longevity" from the 2010s. In particular, he's scored nine Châteaux with a near 100/100 score... These are:
* Ausone 98-100
* Beausejour Duffau Lagarosse 96-100;
* Haut Brion 98-100
* l'Eglise Clinet 96-100; Lafite (98-100)
* Latour (98-100)
* Mouton Rothschild (97-100)
* Petrus (98-100)
* Pontet Canet (96-100)
As you can see from the above, the 2010 vintages of the Lafite, Mouton Rothschild, Haut Brion and Petrus look certain to be big-hitters at auction, just like their previous vintages.
Meanwhile, Parker is the latest, and perhaps most definitive, voice in the wine industry to throw his predictions behind Asia's markets.
Needless to say, as with other collectibles markets, Asia is throwing open doors and ensuring that these are exciting times for wine collectors around the world.
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